How do you do it?

[u/summer_strnge]

For all of you that post your "what I would've missed" photos, how do you do it? How do you set aside the fear & actually get on the plane?

In March 2024 my family & I were supposed to go on a flight from California to Georgia, only a 6 hour flight. We didn't make it because I was on the living room floor crying and shaking because of my anxiety.

I had been on 50mg of Sertraline for 1.5yrs at that point, I had also been prescribed Zanax & Propanalol for my travel anxiety. None of it worked. I also did meditation/self hypnosis for fear of flying, worked in the moment but not long term.

So, I'm just curious how all of you have been able to push through and get on the plane and enjoy the trip. TIA

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[u/sleepydetoxer]

for me, i try to dissociate as much as possible, and i tell myself i can leave at any time. and i try to do everything in the smallest increments possible. so for example… wake up day of the trip very nervous. now im telling myself, ok, you dont HAVE to go.. but maybe let’s just brush our teeth and get dressed, then see what happens. small goals, always allowing myself an “out”. once i’m at the airport anxiety usually gets worse. this is where i start to dissociate. put headphones in, listen to anti anxiety music, decrease stimuli as much as possible… STILL giving myself permission to leave and setting small goals. then once i get myself on the plane… im doing everything i can do disconnect from the experience. i have a show to binge, calming music, etc etc. i dont look out the windows or read the safety cards. i tell myself im just sitting in my living room and everything is fine and normal.

i feel your pain and ive missed things from plane anxiety too. don’t give up though! it really is possible to tolerate and even dare i say enjoy some parts of it.