“How can I prevent panic attacks when flying?”
I get panic attacks when flying. How can I prevent panic attacks when flying?
17 Answers
AcupuncturistCounselor
Try deep breathing, distraction (music, books), meditation, or medication if prescribed. Exposure therapy and CBT can also help reduce flight anxiety over time. If you have any further questions or need more clarity, please consult with a psychiatrist. If you`re in Texas, we welcome you to reach out to www.MidCitiesPsychiatry.com, we`re here to help you.
There is not one single fail proof plan of reducing anxiety or preventing panic attacks when flying but there are techniques, medications and psychotherapies that can help. To prevent anxiety and panic attacks when flying, preparation is key. Start by practicing deep breathing and mindfulness techniques before and during the flight to help manage stress. Consider using relaxation apps or listening to calming music or podcasts. It's also helpful to familiarize yourself with the flight process in advance, which can reduce fear of the unknown. If possible, choose seats that make you feel more comfortable, such as those near the front or by the window. Avoid caffeine or alcohol, as they can exacerbate anxiety. Bringing distractions, such as books, movies, or puzzles, can help keep your mind occupied. Lastly, if still having intolerable levels of anxiety or panic states it is often necessary to speak with a healthcare provider/therapist/psychiatrist; they may recommend strategies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or prescribe medications for short-term use during flights.
Hi, creative and somatic therapies can be incredibly effective for working with anxiety. The length of treatment depends on your unique goals and needs. If you are in the United States then you can search for a provider who is licensed in your state. If you are within California - I have availability to accept new clients - please visit www.sylvansart.com for more information and to contact me directly.
You can try medications or exposure therapy. You could also try meditation and progressive muscle relaxation and extended exhale breathing technique. You could also try hypnosis.
Danielle Cato
Counselor/Therapist
Experiencing anxiety or panic attacks while flying can be distressing, but there are strategies that may help you prevent or manage these situations. Here are a few tips:
1. Education and preparation: Learn about the flying process, the safety measures in place, and what to expect during the flight. Knowledge can help alleviate some anxiety.
2. Breathing exercises: Deep breathing exercises can help calm your mind and body. Practice deep, slow breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth to promote relaxation.
3. Distraction techniques: Engage in activities that divert your attention away from anxious thoughts. Bring a book, listen to music, watch a movie, or engage in conversation with a fellow traveler.
4. Positive self-talk: Challenge negative thoughts and replace them with positive affirmations. Remind yourself that flying is statistically safe and that you are capable of managing your anxiety.
5. Visualizations and mindfulness: Use visualization techniques to imagine yourself in a calm and peaceful setting. Mindfulness meditation can also help you stay present and reduce anxiety.
6. Seek support: Consider speaking to a mental health professional who can provide guidance and support for managing anxiety specifically related to flying. They may suggest additional coping strategies or therapies.
Remember, everyone's experience is unique, and it's important to find strategies that work best for you.
1. Education and preparation: Learn about the flying process, the safety measures in place, and what to expect during the flight. Knowledge can help alleviate some anxiety.
2. Breathing exercises: Deep breathing exercises can help calm your mind and body. Practice deep, slow breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth to promote relaxation.
3. Distraction techniques: Engage in activities that divert your attention away from anxious thoughts. Bring a book, listen to music, watch a movie, or engage in conversation with a fellow traveler.
4. Positive self-talk: Challenge negative thoughts and replace them with positive affirmations. Remind yourself that flying is statistically safe and that you are capable of managing your anxiety.
5. Visualizations and mindfulness: Use visualization techniques to imagine yourself in a calm and peaceful setting. Mindfulness meditation can also help you stay present and reduce anxiety.
6. Seek support: Consider speaking to a mental health professional who can provide guidance and support for managing anxiety specifically related to flying. They may suggest additional coping strategies or therapies.
Remember, everyone's experience is unique, and it's important to find strategies that work best for you.
There are a least a couple ways to come at this. Are you a person who has some level of anxiety in your day to day and flying increases what's already a baseline level of daily anxiousness? Or are you a person who is relatively calm day to day and only experiences anxiety with air travel?
If you have day-to-day anxiety, getting treatment for that will lower your overall anxiety levels and should result in lowered anxiety around flying. Therapy, Chinese medicine, conventional prescription medication can all help to improve this situation.
If you are relatively anxiety free except when flying then you're probably looking at some combination of therapy and conventional prescription meds to manage things when you need to travel by air.
If you have day-to-day anxiety, getting treatment for that will lower your overall anxiety levels and should result in lowered anxiety around flying. Therapy, Chinese medicine, conventional prescription medication can all help to improve this situation.
If you are relatively anxiety free except when flying then you're probably looking at some combination of therapy and conventional prescription meds to manage things when you need to travel by air.
Acupuncture with herbs, and sometimes massage, can treat and help relieve anxieties and extreme stress which can bring on panic attacks. I suggest you try it.
You may can try acupuncture before when you flying it may help you prevent panic attacks when flying.
Hard to give a short answer for this. What is it that gives you the attack about flying, is it a certain aspect of flying? I would say doing some regular practice of learning to calm yourself, self soothe. Some sort of meditation strategy, breathing exercises to help your nervous system calm down. There are lots of different things you could try to help with this! So there's hope!:)
I would highly encourage therapy with a cognitive behavioral approach to help you with your flying anxiety.