i need help please!!!!

Hey,Im hannah (:
i need some sugguestions,i live in south carolina but i grew up in michigan, during Christmas break im going to fly to michigan which is a 2 hour plane ride, i have a panic disorder which i have had since i was about 11, i have been riding in planes since i was 6 so you would think this would be no big deal... WRONG, i havent been on a plane since i was diginosed because i freak out,and during this trip i will be going alone...im 16 years old and im scared to death,i dont want to have panic attacks on a plane so high up, my main fear which triggers the attacks is throwing up, and to be honest wouldnt you think being thousands of miles in the air with a bunch of people with alot of terbulence and a small bathroom seems like a HUGE problem for me..yes it is, i want to prove that I CAN DO IT... but inside im so scared, what if i freak out,out loud and everyone hears?...what if i throw up?. When or if i get to michigan i will be fine, they stop as soon as the plane lands, but 2 hours....when i have panic attacks i count them...one time i was in class which is an hour and 55 mins and i had 34 panic attacks...complete hell for me, and i dont want people to tell me to not go because I NEED to prove to MYSELF THAT I CAN AND WILL DO IT, i need to face my fears alone with no one to lean on, but i do need suggestions on how other people cope with there panic attacks or reduce them,me and my mom are talking about xanex but my doctor has said no because it is attictive....so i guess i have to do it with just me,myself,and i...
Any Suggestions Will Be Much Greatly Apperciated. (:

[mammo]

Hi Hannah.  I fly a lot and have seen many people vomit during the flight, this is common mostly due to motion sickness, but this is why every seat has a vomit bag.  Nobody pays attention, they truly don't.  Take something with you that really occupies your mind and keeps you busy. I can tell doing this on your own is very important to you, and it's wonderful that you want to face your fears.  It sounds like your biggest fear is others seeing or hearing you, and trust me if they did, they would be so empathetic!  Many people have a fear of flying, they drink or take medication to allow them to fly.  But you are doing it all on your own, this is awesome!  I know you're scared, but good for you!  Take a book to journal your feelings in as well, write whatever you are feeling, this does help!  You can even make if funny!  Keeping your mind busy is key, so find some things that really interest you to take on the plane.  You can even pull a flight attendant aside and tell her how fearful you are and ask if you can go to her if need be, this will get you into the gallery area with some privacy.  I hope you can do this without any problems, it will help you so much!  Don't worry about others, people are much more understanding than you know.  I wish you all the best, and know you will do great!

[greenlydia]

Hi Hannah and welcome to the forum. We're glad you found us!

I take it you are not being treated for the panic disorder that was diagnosed 5 years ago? Have you had any therapy? Do you have any idea where the panic came from, was there a triggering event, a root cause?

Fear of flying is such a hugely common source of anxiety/panic. It should be our National Phobia!
I had it REALLY, REALLY bad for years and I totally understand what you're going through.

There are some excellent books out there about the fear of flying. Try to get your hands on one or two before you leave. Read and study them like the SATS! If your family knows anyone who is a pilot, either professional or private, see if they can arrange a meeting for you to talk to them about all the things you're afraid of.
Understanding the theory of flight, why that huge airplane can stay in the sky is good information. I use to think only by ME keeping a death grip on the arm rest the entire flight was keeping the airplane aloft. I didn't even mind that I couldn't use my hands for three days, I got that plane on the ground safe and sound! I was such a moron!  :)

When you get on the plane, tell the flight attendant you're very panicky about flying. They all understand your fear and have had extensive training in how to help you. Many times they will even go out of their way to seat you by someone who is a very seasoned traveler and can explain all the bumps and noises and changes in pitch of the engines so you won't be so scared. Many times the attendents would come by my seat if it was bumpy and let me know that everthing was fine.

That your doctor won't give you enough Xanax for the trip is really quite silly on his part. There is no way you could EVER become addicted to Xanax by taking 2 tablets. Find a different doctor. If they don't want to give you Xanax, why not some Valium? They could also give you something for your stomach so you'd be far less likely to throw up.

Take along plenty of things to keep you occupied and a journal to write in about every spooky and every fun thing about the flight. If we spend time articulating our fears, we can, quite often, see just how silly they are. My first "Fear Journal" absolutely cracks me up now. (But please remember it's over 50 years old and back then all the airplanes had open cockpits!) LOL  

Also take along a book about panic attacks and if you feel yourself getting close to the edge, start reading that to reassure yourself that everything you're feeling is normal and will NOT kill you! Practice up on your deep breathing and other ways to calm yourself down. You can always call the flight attendant and tell him/her that you're having a panic attack and they will help you.

Google "fear of flying" and see what you come up with. Also, understand the statistics of your particular flight crashing. The chances are astronomical, especially during the holiday season.

I hope some of this helps.
You'll have a totally uneventful flight, a wonderful holiday visit and return home less afraid than when you left.
Enjoy your flight into the wild blue yonder!
Peace
Greenlydia  

[christ58]

This might sound simple but try occupying yourself with provided magazines in the plane or bring your favourite book.

[erin626]

Dramamine was my lifesaver. I had the same exact fear and in 2007 I flew every month of the year and never once got sick even in awful turbulence. Dramamine is an otc and prevents motion sickness and it was great. I took long flights to london and los angeles from maryland where I was living and never had a problem. The dramamine also made me sleepy so as soon as the plain took off I was asleep.

[hannahxomichal]

Will i be able to get Dramamine? i looked it up,it sounds affective.ill talk to my doctor about it.thank you for the suggestion (:

[hannahxomichal]

my doctor wont give me xanex because he clames im to young..im trying to get a differnt doctor but in our area hes the only one that takes our cigna, he doesnt take me serious he often makes fun of me to other patients even my sister who he had no idea we were related, obviously he didnt read her last name... i cant really talk to him about anything, i ha had plenty of theripists and have tired many meds. no luck, thank you for your suggestions (:

[erin626]

You can get dramamine at any drug store..cvs, rite aid, walgreens..*nd most grocery stores have it in their medicine section too. They have chewable kind and regular pill kind..I liked the chewables because they actually tasted good haha.

I also tried to eat about 3 hours before my plane ride so if turbulence did strike the food had pretty much worked its way down out of my tummy.

But like I said the dramamine was a lifesaver and made me drowsy so I slept through most flights and was usually too sleepy to even get anxious.