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Exposure- flying in an airplane


16 years ago 0 144 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Thank you everybody for your advice and support :) It is a good advice to concentrate on other situations that remind of flying. I'll keep it in my mind :) Also, I keep working through the program here. Yes, now flying has been left as the only trigger for my panic attacks. I have overcome all other triggers (like going by public transport, going far away from home, using elevators etc.) Half a year ago for some months I was really agoraphobic, housebound, suffering from clinical depression (a nightmare). Then it was medicine + psychoterapy that helped me to overcome all that. Now it is only flying left plus sometimes I feel that my depression can come back and I am scared a bit to feel all what I felt half a year ago. I have flied only 3 times and am not very used to flying. Some years ago if somebody offered me a million dollars if I stepped into an airplane, I would say- no, I won't do that even if it is one million dollars. My fright was so extreme! Terrifying! I missed so many chances in my life because of this fright. And now I am doing everything to have a possibility to fly. Planning my trips that involve flying. :) I want a normal life back!!! I won't live with fright, better is to be dead! I am very strict to myself altough I like to complain about things :( No fright in my life anymore!!!
16 years ago 0 33 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Is flying the only trigger for your panic attacks? If there are other, more common triggers (going to movies, driving, going to sports events, shopping, etc.) that you can do exposure work with, that might help you with overcoming these types of problems in general. If it's just flying then I'm extremely jealous! There are lots of things that make me prone to panic attacks! Also - do any other situations remind you enough of flying to be useful in airplane exposure work? For example, riding a bus or sitting by a window in a tall office building might be helpful, depending on what about flying bothers you. If you live near a theme park, how about roller coasters - or maybe even a ferris wheel. I don't know - I'm just trying to think of things that would involve some of the same feelings as flying. I'm impressed that you're working to overcome this fear - since I fly so rarely I take more of a wimpy approach! Good for you!!!
16 years ago 0 12049 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Madara, You can continue to work with the exposure exercises and gain more confidence. Use the exercises to progress and challenge that fear. You can continue forward and use the knowledge of the other sessions to help you. Do a dry run scenario and continue to write within your diary to help pinpoint areas that you want to work on. How was your previous flight? What challenges did you face? Use this knowledge to continue to challenge your thoughts. Hope this helps, Josie ______________________________ The Panic Center Support Team.
16 years ago 0 144 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Dear support specialists, please answer, give me advice :)
16 years ago 0 144 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
The program tells that exposure must be done almost every day but what about flying in an airplane? I cannot do it every day! Now I am to start lesson 7. Can I move further with the program or do I have to wait until I do my exposure work in an airplane without any subtle avoidance strategies (this weekend when I had a flight I did my exposure with anti-anxiety medicine). Next time I am going to fly in some months. Do I have to stop continuing with the program for a moment? Many thanks.

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