A psychologist friend of mine once told me that my anxiety about flying sounds more about issues of control than actual fear. It was such a realization! In a car, I at least have the illusion of control and can put my window down, stop when I want to, turn the ac on/off... things I can't control on a plane. So I've also tried to view plane time as like forced "me time." Someone else is driving, we may hit potholes on the way (turbulence), but it's my time to listen to music, nap, etc. and try to let go of wanting to be in control. It's an effort every time I fly, though. I just don't want to let it stop me from living life and traveling.

you have to learn to be nicer to yourself too you know. challenging yourself is always good, but the way you speak to yourself also plays a huge part in how you handle anxiety.

I randomly stumbled on to your video, I’m glad I did. This brings me so much joy and hope! as I battle with anxiety and panic attacks for 20 years! And it all started from a flight back to home from Mexico. It changed my life forever, my first panic attack scar me to the point I’m afraid to get back on to the plane. You are an inspiration to me bro! You did it!! You gave me hope that I too can overcome the fear of flying. Thank you. 🙏🏽 🥹🤝🏾

@anxiety_fitness

10 ай бұрын

You can do it! Thank you for your comment!

Brother, you and I are twin airplane passenger souls if that makes sense. LITERALLY EVERY word you said is what I feel and what I’ve always felt when flying and I have flown several times. This video is helping me tremendously.

i feel like you completely get me. for someone with extreme anxiety you have a really rational understanding of it all

I’ve experienced anxiety for the past 11 months. I can’t imagine living with it your whole life.

@Odiekins

Жыл бұрын

It’s hell. I’ve had anxiety since the age of 8.

@Sirie7206

11 ай бұрын

@Ambrosioluis-ef1nc No thanks.

@TheRenaissanceGuys

11 ай бұрын

I hope we will find freedom from anxiety soon. One thing that might help with anxious thoughts and sensations is to just listen and observe, and not engage otherwise. If you do this a little, you'll soon notice that thoughts pop up independently, and then you can ask: "Who said that?" If you are not your thoughts, then who are you? You are only the listener, the awareness, peaceful.

@GeorgiosKarneris

9 ай бұрын

Me living with it 2,5 years now and i realy hate it

@Sirie7206

9 ай бұрын

@GeorgiosKarneris me too!

I have to fly tomorrow and I'm terrified. I had a miserable panic attack the last time I flew and those feelings have stuck with me unfortunately. I appreciate this video so freaking much cause I can imagine my take off is going to be similar and the talk of relief up in the air is encouraging

This was so great to watch. I too also have bad anxiety mostly surrounding public transport such as trains,buses and planes. Before I get on planes I’m always the most anxious because I know that I won’t be able to get off or have access to medical attention and I’ll be stuck on it for hours. When you said that once you’re in the air the body relaxes I think that is so true as this almost always happens to me. I think it’s because when you’re let’s say on a train or a bus you always know that there will be a stop soon and you can get off so you panic so much and want to get off as soon as possible. But once you’re in the air your body knows that you’re much safer in the aircraft than if you were to open it mid flight and try and get out, so the body calms down and feels safer if that makes sense. I’m always so anxious before a flight and sitting in the seat before takeoff is the worst for me I feel so trapped, but as soon as it’s level in the air I do tend to feel a lot calmer!

Thankyou so much for this video. I cant tell u how helpful it is. Travelling for the first time in 20 years this August, worrying already! However, this video has helped so much ❤❤🙏

i hyperventalated for my first time when i was 16 and now im 44 and still do it to this day,so i know how you feel bro,stay strong and keep fighting it!!!

This is the most incredible thing to see and hear. I have SIX pilots in my immediate family, three of them commercial pilots, one military, one a flight instructor and one a bush pilot, and my mother was a flight attendant. Even they cannot convince me that flying is safe. SO spot on about talking about that small chance of something going wrong being why the anxiety is there so strongly. My fear of flying is because of the idea of mechanical failures, turbulence, crashing, the complete lack of control of anything and having to put all my trust in people I do not know at all. Plot twist, I live thousands of miles away from my family in a very remote area near the equator where I have to take a very small 4-12 person plane to the international airport. Then have to take the regular flights. I love traveling and being in new places or seeing my family and old friends but the anxiety is legit real. THANK YOU so much for talking about how you experience anxiety in these situations and what you do about it. 🥲👊🏽

Yes yes yes!!! Exactly how I feel! Everything you said I can relate! I would love to travel everywhere and anywhere but that WHAT IF always kills me. Even watching this and just thinking about it gave me anxiety and a small panick attack! I need to do it for my husband and kids aswell! And proof that the anxiety is just there to make us fear over nothing, sometimes is just really hard 😢

I’ve never met anyone else with agoraphobia or a fear of being trapped in situations perceived as dangerous (because of the fear of a panic attack). Even though logically I know I’m not the only person that experiences this, I still feel like no one really understands. Thanks for being vulnerable and sharing your experience. 🩵 I’d love to see a video (or reel) of ways you cope during an active panic attack or when you feel one starting.

@shadyeighty1

9 ай бұрын

I've used to deal with severe anxiety that was triggered by the perception of being trapped in a situation with no immiediate means of escaping (i.e. being on a plane or driving on a high speed motorway). At one point it had gotten so bad that I was barely able to leave my house. I've tried medication, talk therapy, meditation etc. almost everything I could to make it go away. Today I'm over it completely, and in hindsight I can attest that only 2 things truly work in beating anxiety attacks/agoraphobia: (you need to go completely against your anxiety-driven mode of action) 1. Volountary exposure to anxiety-triggering situations. When we feel anxious, it feels natural to avoid situations that cause us anxiety. Avoidance helps in the short term to make us feel safe, but is way worse long-term and will act to strengthen agoraphobia even further as triggers now become unbearable and more threatening than intially perceived. 2. Do nothing when going through a panic attack/uncomfortable situations. Easier said than done, but is the best answer to panic/anxiety. DO NOT try to control your breathing, do not use medication or stimulants to overcome uncomfortable feelings, don't run from difficult situations. The more you try to counteract and control your anxiety, the stronger it is going to get. Because you do all these things whilst reacting to anxiety, you're essentially sending a signal to your brain that your situation is that serious that you need to forcefully control your breathing and use medication. This will act as an reinforcement for your brain (because now it's not just anxiety, it's a physical problem that you need medication and breathing techniques for). If you make anxiety look more like not a big deal than a dreadful reality, the less problematic it becomes. These two things, whilst they require a lot of courage to put into action, will eventually free you from severe anxiety

@andretadeu

17 күн бұрын

@@shadyeighty1 "the Dare response". Thats right, but as you said... easier said than done. Courage, is what it takes. Greetings from Portugal.

My main thing with flying is feeling trapped. Like what if I need to get off and I'm only 2 hours in to a 4 hour flight. What if i freak out and need to get off. Your brave facing it head on. I've just been diognosed with panic disorder and acrophobia. Started cbt. Have to start pushing myself to go out for longer

@SachazamMusic

Жыл бұрын

I understand your feeling, I had the same. However, from What exactly do you want to get off ? What are you trying to avoid ? Since I asked myself this question, I was like « yeah even if I’m having a panic attack, run away wouldn’t help me » so I’m just like « fuck it and I will pretend I sleep under my coat if I don’t want other people to see it » but finally I’ve never had unxontrolable one.

@dillonmann6409

3 ай бұрын

Thanks, exactly my problem!! Wanting to get off and knowing it's "IMPOSSIBLE"

@bobbyhill4118

2 ай бұрын

Try sleep depriving yourself beforehand so you don’t have the energy reserves to perceive the fact that you’re locked in as a threat. That’s what I’d do.

@Sugarbriches82

2 ай бұрын

This is my same issue. I have a flight next week and am doing my best to reframe my thoughts into positive things. Viewing this as a vacation, looking forward to new sights and places. I'll be using deep breathing, distractions, and a confidence anchor. I also plan to take regular strength Dramamine for my motion sickness but that also kind of helps to relax me as well.

@ankabrzeska5931

2 ай бұрын

What I do is to cut myself off my body. Pretend to be somewhere else. I know that psychologists advise to focus on our feelings and accept it but I it does not work for me. The best way is just meditate and visualise some safe spaces like a space bubble I'm in or something. Also to get the feeling of control I set my alarm clock. If the flight is two hours I set to hours to go and then observe how I am closer and closer to to end. And I KNOW that within these two hours it's all gonna end anyway so ... landings are the best parts 😂

You are doing what you have to do, and you are doing a VERY GOOD JOB. This is the way to actually transform the way you brain works. Whoever who has this same problem is very proud of you. I’m trying the same thing, I’m going through everything that scares me and trigger my agoraphobia. I rated some scenarios from 1 to 10 and started from the bottom. For me, flying is the worst thing in the world, rated 10 out of 10 but I’m gonna be there some day.

You did it buddy ! 💛💛💛 Keep pushing through the sensations

@anxiety_fitness

Жыл бұрын

Thank you! I will :)

I feel 100% seen bro. I have a fear of planes and also heights. Every emotion you felt, I go through as well. Normally i relax when i see the clouds. Also closing the window helps as well. I had to subscribe

Nothing fails like breathing exercises! You did a great job man.

@anxiety_fitness

Жыл бұрын

😂 So true ahah! Thanks!

As the other post mentioned; loss of control. Like when I'm a passenger in a car, I'm a little nervous and uneasy (depending on who is driving) but when I'M driving, I'm not nervous at all. And this is in light of I may not even be as good a driver as the other people, but I still feel better that I am the one in control of the car.

I have the same symptoms like you I think. When I was flying, I also touched my head a lot since that help or something. And I also kinda 'monitor' my heart if it's going at the right speed. If it's beating at a slower or faster rate than usual, I get stressed about something being wrong with my heart.

Its so difficult. Mine just came on after a tragedy in my family when i was 18. I hospitalized myself because i had no idea what was going on. The worst part at the time was having moved to a new place where i was already stared at alot because i was the only biracial person there besides my baby brother. Now im very grown. They havent gone away. Ive done cognitive behavioral therapy. But honestly i think exposure therapy is the best thing i did/do. Having my little rescue dog has been helpful. But its still up to me to heal me. Its a long process and often can go for years then return ,which has happened to me.

The "Fear of having that fear" is such a bitch! That shit can make you waste away, I hate having this rotten fucking disorder. I had to tell myself "If I really wanted to, I could jump out of the escape door and would only take 30 seconds to reach the ground" and it helped. Another thing is, you can be fine 7 hours during a flight, then you just think a bit, then BOOM! OH SHIT. Confusion, the need to move, my body constantly grabbing at things to distract me. Anxiety is a C hunt.

This is true STORY. I AM NOW AGE 50. I started having heart paps and racing heart shortness of breath at age 32. ER and cardio docs all said anexity related which was weird.to me since I was in great shape back then. I would say 2 years after being told I had anexity my work instructed me to fly 2hrs to Tampa.. I did not think much of it since I never had a issue with flying. So I get on plan.. sit down and BAM. Bam bam. Heart races. Can't breath. My mind is telling me to get off the plane!!. I just sat there and suffered while the plan had not even taken off yet.. this was a new PA since I never had one on a plane before. I suffered omg. The lady next to me ask if I was okay and of course this made it worse. I just said. " having a PA" Anyways plan took off and I suffered Waves for atleast 1 hr. Plane landed I was exhausted and a basket case cause now I am in a different city. . Well I goto 2 day meeting again just as a basket case. But stable.. The next day it's time to fly home. I am like well what can I do. Gotta get on and go home. Got on plan and nothing. Plan took off and nothing. I waited to suffer a MONSTER PA and nothing. The pilot got on speaker and said very bad ride coming and I expected here goes my PA.. THE PLANE RIDE WAS HORRIFIC AND GUESS WHAT NOTHING. PEOPLE were screaming. Overhead compartments were opening in the air. Stomach drops from the plane and I sat there while everyone was yelling and said OMG I am not having a PA... THAT DAY PERPLEXED ME. BTW if I had a xanax I would of taken one BUT I FOUGHT THE URGE NO DRUGS FOR 5 YEARS. I GAVE UP and started having a xanax few times a week. But I was very careful since I have seen addiction from family members

Great video man!

@anxiety_fitness

2 ай бұрын

Glad you liked it!

YOU’RE NOT ALONE!!!!! We’re all human and it’s perfectly okay to feel anxious sometimes. A very wise mall Santa that I met, back in 2018, once told me that “even on the cloudiest day the sun STILL shines behind those clouds meaning that no matter how dark it looks, the sun is STILL there and the joy and happiness is there for you as well”. No matter how scary or how uncomfortable things get, just know that everything’s going to be okay because u deserve to feel safe, loved, comforted, encouraged and for those who loved you and who really want to help u and be there for you and stay by your side either way. Whether from friends, family or anyone you trust and feel safe with. I maybe an autistic women whose probably may or may not have had a lot of panic attacks and is just speaking from experience but I’ve had anxiety attacks due to my fear of failure in school or at work and not being good enough as a person and that I do understand perfectly well the feelings the worthlessness, lack of self esteem, anxiety, depression, self hatred, loneliness, feeling trapped, frustration, remorsefulness, insecurity and the feeling of wanting to get try to better yourself but always coming out as a failure. Plus having been through Covid and being forced to follow Covid safety protocols like many others has been deeply traumatizing for me as well socially, mentally, physically and emotionally. The point is, your anxieties and depressions and everything mental health related DOES NOT define u for who you are, it’s what’s inside your heart and all the things that you’ve accomplished in life that truly defines u for who you truly are. Some people are not gonna always understand what you’re going through but as long as you have the people who loved you or that special someone whom deeply loves u and genuinely cares about u and will do anything in the world to help u to overcome this, you’re gonna come out even stronger and more courageous than ever and before you’ll know it, you’re gonna surprise people by how far you’ve come in the end. Stay strong, have courage, be kind to yourself, take heart and NEVER EVER give up hope because you ARE beautiful and perfect just the way you are in every way . ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

I can totally relate to what you’re saying about not wanting to keep avoiding things. I feel the same way. For me it’s been about trying to find a balance between managing my triggers and allowing myself to work through the difficult situation so that it won’t be so heavy in the future. I have found IFS work to be amazing as well as meditation and journaling.

When people tell me I’m more at risk driving or just walking down the street, I’m like okay I just won’t leave the house then 😅

Adrenaline it’s a big problem with panic attacks .. too much of it rushing in to the heart

See id panic over the fact I can’t get off the plane mid flight

Thank you very much for sharing this. I’m due to fly on 7/29. It’ll be the first time I’ve flown in about 10 years. You did a good job of distracting yourself with filming the video. Your goal to see your brother is also admirable. Keeping the “bigger picture”. You were very aware of your internal monologue and did a great job keeping control of yourself. It’s no big deal if you cried a little. I like how open you were with the flight attendant. People are often quite compassionate about this condition. Anyway, great job! You did it!

@anxiety_fitness

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for your comment! Wow, that will be a great achievement, I'm sure you will love it! Filming is a great help for me, really helps me to stay focused on the end goal, rather than the worries and hypotheticals! :)

I'll be honest I have anxiety and absolutely petrified of flying, looked to me like you was trying to cry but couldn't I hope I'm wrong.

Thats the only way ti get cured or reduce the symtoms from panick attack. If you have the possibility you need to do ultra long houl flights also. Will help you tremendously to the point where a 4 hours flight will looks like a piece of cake.

16:30 Hi! Im a pilot and i know this is probally irrelevant but just wanted to share with you, because alot of people actually get scared during that drop feeling. It's not the plane actually dropping, or it is in some way but not exactly. It happens when the flaps get turned up after take off, so the flaps increase the planes lift. And after take off they get turned up so they stop decreasing lift and the aircraft is able to speed up, when they get turned up they obviously again stop producing lift so thats why the plane drops a little like it's falling out of the skies for a second because thats what happend but it very quickly again gets it's lift back due to it's wings so there is no need to worry about that :) (Edit) Also i didn't watch the part about the guy explaining what was happening yet when writing this comment, at an one point he is right because the pilot's are probally pushing the throttle down thats why the engines are quieter but the drop again like i said happens due to the change of flap position.

I hate the stigma about the way men shouldn't have any fear in any situation. We're expected to try and die at any giving moment and anxitey makes us weak

love your videos and your vulnerability

@anxiety_fitness

Жыл бұрын

Haha, thank you for watching :D

Thank you for these videos

Your videos have been enormously helpful and reassuring. I am really struggling at the moment with recurrent panic attacks. I start a job in 3 weeks and need to recover before then. I have drawn up an exposure hierarchy. My question is what to do when the panic symptoms appear during the exposure - the rapid breathing, the chest pains, the urge to leave? Those feelings are very real and terrifying in the moment. Would breathing or distraction be "safety behaviours" or allowed coping mechanisms? Thank you so much again for documenting your experiences.

@anxiety_fitness

Жыл бұрын

Personally and from what my therapists have told me, doing breathing exercises, or anything to try and 'soothe' the panic attack symptoms in the moment is not actually good practise. The best thing to do is to actually allow the symptoms to happen, or even encourage them to get worse. The more we try and resist through safety behaviours, the more we actually reinforce the panic. I understand that in the moment that can feel impossible, but it can be done, and with practise it gets easier to accept the symptoms and let them be!

I have cardiophobia and I'm also afraid of heights. So I'm more afraid of having a heart attack on the plane. But I don't know how to calm myself down and concentrate on anything else.

@connisolimun2700

Ай бұрын

Same here😭but i must take plane to go back to my family every year for 9 years,when finally i get to finally move closer to my family,now i really avoid using plane to go back to my hometown.But driving also give me anxiety 😢

@Medellin1823

Ай бұрын

@@connisolimun2700 If I could drive across the ocean I would. Just so I wouldn't have to take a plane. But just imagine if Superman had a fear of heights. And he only flew a few feet above the cars, like in the movie, The Meteor Man (1993) 😂

I can completely relate.

I am taking my first plane in Nov ... I love rollercoasters don't get me wrong they scared me bad but once they start moving they are fun. I know that I am going to be terrified but I am so excited and I am hoping that my excitement doesn't turn into a panic attack which can happen with me

@anxiety_fitness

Жыл бұрын

You can also turn that panic back into excitement! That’s can be a really effective technique!

20 mins - 21 mins Make total sense I still need to overcome fear of flying, got to get used to London and on the underground. I’m now okay with trains, buses and cars

16:07 yup it’s everything I feel

anxiety is ruining my life

I get anxious during the landing. My mind thinks the small wheels of the plane will blow off when the plane hits the runway - I hate landings for that reason. Flying is a great opportunity to practice mindfulness meditation. I' bring the book "30 Days to Reduce Anxiety" by Harper Daniels and will practice the exercises during flight. It has helped a lot.

@anxiety_fitness

Жыл бұрын

That's interesting. I love the landing, the feeling of getting back on the ground. I actually usually worry that the noises after takeoff are the wheels breaking! But once in the air, you're right, it's a great time to relax and meditate etc.

@rijd2304

Жыл бұрын

@@anxiety_fitness The takeoff never bothers me, and I fly a lot, it's always the landing. I think because I've had a few landings where the plane hits the ground super hard and people go "ohhhh!" and that made me think, "dam one day the wheels are going to blow off"...I hate landings haha

Thank you so much, this is so encouraging! I'm terrified of the feeling of "being trapped" inside and not being able to get out when I start to panic. Did you experienced similar fears and how did you cope with that "panic rush"? Thank you in advance for your answer.🍀

@anxiety_fitness

Жыл бұрын

I'm learning how to let the rush just happen, and not try to fight it. Once I do that, the feeling of 'trapped' is not so overwhelming!

@NinnaBL

Жыл бұрын

So you don't use any breathing techniques when the rush comes or any techniques to keep the mind busy? And just don't try to fight the panic?

@anxiety_fitness

Жыл бұрын

@@NinnaBL That's right, I just 'accept' and allow it as much as I can. Breathing techniques just make me panic more!

Magnesium and vitamin D!!!

Please tell us about how your feelings, life and confidence has changed after you took your first trip 🙏🏻

The thing is, im not scared of flying. I only experienced this attack on the way back from a trip and was thankful it was only a 4 hour fligh cause it lasted fornthe whole journey. It was worse than being on the ground and having 1 for me, as ive never had 1 in the air before.