You are NOT alone, not that that's comforting. But these are two relaxation CDs I have tired.

Overcome the Fear of Flying by Glenn Harrold

Fly Without Fear: Guided Meditations for a Relaxing Flight by Krs Edstrom

Both can be found on Amazon.com

It is recommended that you start listening at least 2 weeks before your flight.

If the fear is extremely debilitating, I recommend asking your doctor to prescribe something to help you relax.

Hope this helps.

I really hate flying as well. We leave Thurs. morning on a 7 am flight and I have already had two nights where I have had trouble sleeping. I too consider myself "normal", no other issues/fears, just this one. I have a prescription that usually helps, perhaps you can see a doctor who can give you something. Not sure where you are located but for us it is a relatively short flight (just over 3 hrs.) and I have to keep telling myself about all the good things I am going to do upon landing and hopefully that'll get me through. Plenty of people fly regularly and some peeople even choose it as a profession and for the most part everything goes smoothly. Remember after take off, every minute that passes brings you one step closer to paradise.

KAMS,

I leave Wednesday morning on a 6am flight. I have had a couple of sleepless nights as well. What did your doctor prescribe? I was debating on trying to get a last minute appointment in hopes of trying to get something that will relax me. Overcoming the Fear of Flying CD worked very well for me when I went to Florida. I started listening to both about a week ago, although because of my work schedule, I have not been consistent.

I am also afraid to fly. My doctor gives me a mild sedative to take 1/2 hour before flying.

Just keep thinking of the paradise you are going to.

Good Luck

Flying to Provo sure beats driving to Provo. :-)

Talk to your doctor and explain your fear of flying. Ask him for a prescription--personally I like Xanax.

I take one a few hours before the flight and another about a half hour before take off.

I used to have really bad panic attacks and did not want to leave my house. Then I met a woman who had spent the last 25 years of her life in a chair in her bedroom because she was afraid to leave it. I remember thinking "hell no".

Now I just repeat--"I will not be afraid unless I have a reason to be afraid"--then I take a deep breath and do it anyway.

lobomago,

Sounds like something I also suffered from after having my son. My hormones were all screwed up. I dealt with it without drugs, for a few years. I found the more you think about your fears, and the panic, the more it snowballed I also asked my doctor for something to take, but leave it in my pocket. I never had to take it, but it's there. Just knowing it's there helps your mind avoid the feeling of panic on the plane.

Bloody Marys !!! We leave at 6:00 AM from CT and I ALWAYS start my trips off that way. It is my transition from work mode to vacation mode. There are no time frames around when you can enjoy one...who cares what others think.

Thanks for all the suggestions, I think I will try them all. Hopefully I can break free from this fear

and enjoy the ride!

Thanks again

I use to love to fly, then I started having panic attacks, I would have sleepness nights leading up to the flights, spend the night with upset stomachs, not able to eat, etc.  Off and on for 10 years, I finally convinced myself that worrying about something happening makes me worthless if something does!  I've used up all my energy.  Slowly but surely, I've finally convienced myself that I'll just worry when something happens, and until then, I'll be okay.  After about 10 years, I'm finally snapping out of it.  I traveled all over, and on some questionable airlines, I come from a family of pilots!  My neighbors take xanax and swear by it, I mentally just said to myself, " If something happens to me, then I have lived my life!"  Other things that have helped:  Ipod with your favorite music, or I've been addicted to Sudoku, so after a couple of puzzles-your landing!!!