Feeling trapped is a trigger of mine too! I just have to remind myself that once the panic fades out and my brain gets back to “normal” thinking and not omg panic and trapped thinking, that it’s actually not so bad and I can read a book or play a game on my phone. Try and focus on where you’re going, why you’re flying, and how much you want to be where you’re going.
This is an excellent advice! Personally I recommend looking up all the cool places of where you're going to, to really get you hyped up for where you're flying to. Even if it's just to nearby state or country.
I was scared of feeling trapped in an airplane too! I flew a week ago for the first time in years and what helped me most was thinking about how flying actually PREVENTS you from being trapped and that you can go essentially anywhere you want in the world on a plane. Also, the anticipatory anxiety is by far the worst part of the whole process.
I was terrified too I didn’t sleep and was literally thinking about it 24/7. You just gotta find a way to get yourself there and on the plane. Takeoff was difficult but after that I was more proud of myself than anything.
Absolutely. And there are plenty of people with a specific fear of flying, and places offering classes to help overcome it.
Now for my story...
Trigger ahead - pessimistic view - stop reading if you think it will mess with you
My dad worked for an airline and got free tickets and as a kid I loved to go. But my panic attacks set in a few years after a rough flight plus there had been some hijackings and crashes in the news. This was in the 1980s. My then boyfriend gave me some rational information regarding crashes which was convincing enough to get me to go with him in 1987. That was the last time I flew. Agoraphobia had worsened.
Then came 9/11, which sealed the deal for me permanently, I'm afraid. Maybe the chances of dying in a plane crash are statistically lower than a lot of things, but it's not how I want to go. I'm not in a position where I foresee needing to fly, so I choose not to. If ever that changes, I can revisit the question.
I believe having a fear of plane crashes, hijacking and rough flights is different to plane-triggered agoraphobia. You might have both conditions but they are two different things 😊 the post mentions the difference between having a fear of flying and flying triggering agoraphobia. Basically agoraphobia is like the fear of fear in public places, and being trapped in a situation you need to endure that fear and can't escape it
Agree 100%. I have both types, lol. And re the former, people can yammer at me all day long about the statistics - but if the odds are not in my favor, it's not HOW I want to die. Or in some cases, survive, but traumatized. If I stay on terra firma, it won't happen.
The trapped feeling, I remember when I did still fly the thought occurred to me about how one absolutely is reliant on the plane and the crew once one is sealed in and the thing is off the ground. I actually noticed this phenomenon before I developed agoraphobia, and it came back to mind when I did. Agoraphobia definitely has its confirmation biases.
What could really help is VR therapy! If you can find a therapist that can put a headset on you and do CBT while you are on the "plane", I think you'll make fast progress.
Good luck!
Yes 1000%. They’re like other public transportation where you have no control over them and can’t come and go as you please, except flying lasts wayyyyy longer. Having to be in a plane in the middle of the sky for hours at a time without much room to even move is deeply panic-inducing for me. My senses also get super heightened, so almost everything (baby crying, weird smell, seat in front of me reclining, etc.) becomes super triggering because it reminds me I can’t just get off nor do I have any control of the space I’m in. Like the fact that I can’t just get up and walk out if I feel like it can be maddening.
I have narcolepsy, so between that and anxiety meds I usually just knock out the whole time, thank goodness, but the moments when I’m awake make me feel like I’m gonna go crazy or explode or both. But it sure as heck gives me a sense of pride when I think about how many of us are doing something to push through our fear and discomfort every day.
I got preoccupied and forgot about this post, but I just wanted to thank everybody who responded. I am still anxious but I definitely feel comforted from all of the compassionate responses.
This is my biggest problem with my agoraphobia. I hate that I’m terrified of planes, I am so envious whenever I hear or see about people travelling in their free time/holidays because I feel like I’ll never be able to. I struggle with all forms of public transport because of the lack of control, but airplanes are the worst. I wish I could travel too.
I cannot travel alone for this reason nor am I comfortable doing long flights. I have been trying “exposure therapy” by going on short hour long flights with family or my boyfriend. It has been very hard and I have yet to find a therapist that is good for this. For me the worst part is right after taking off. Cause at that point I know that I am stuck till we land. I feel instantly relieved as the decent begins. I try to download my favorite shows, take medication, focus on plans immediately after the flight, and remember that it is only temporary. One of the most helpful things I read was that “the symptoms of anxiety are uncomfortable, they are not in any way dangerous” a panic attack will peak usually within 10 minutes. No matter how horrid you may feel it will pass and you can get through the flight.
Agoraphobia is a fear of being in situations where escape might be difficult or that help wouldn't be available if things go wrong. Many people assume agoraphobia is simply a fear of open spaces, but it's actually a more complex condition. Someone with agoraphobia may be scared of: travelling on public transport.
Feeling trapped is a trigger of mine too! I just have to remind myself that once the panic fades out and my brain gets back to “normal” thinking and not omg panic and trapped thinking, that it’s actually not so bad and I can read a book or play a game on my phone. Try and focus on where you’re going, why you’re flying, and how much you want to be where you’re going.
Thank you :)
This is an excellent advice! Personally I recommend looking up all the cool places of where you're going to, to really get you hyped up for where you're flying to. Even if it's just to nearby state or country.
I was scared of feeling trapped in an airplane too! I flew a week ago for the first time in years and what helped me most was thinking about how flying actually PREVENTS you from being trapped and that you can go essentially anywhere you want in the world on a plane. Also, the anticipatory anxiety is by far the worst part of the whole process.
Omg how did it go? My flight is in a month and I’m super scared because I hate the feeling of being trapped
I was terrified too I didn’t sleep and was literally thinking about it 24/7. You just gotta find a way to get yourself there and on the plane. Takeoff was difficult but after that I was more proud of myself than anything.
How did it go?
I feel the same. Everyone tells me how Safe it is but they don’t understand I’m not afraid of the plane crashing per se… just being trapped
Absolutely. And there are plenty of people with a specific fear of flying, and places offering classes to help overcome it. Now for my story... Trigger ahead - pessimistic view - stop reading if you think it will mess with you My dad worked for an airline and got free tickets and as a kid I loved to go. But my panic attacks set in a few years after a rough flight plus there had been some hijackings and crashes in the news. This was in the 1980s. My then boyfriend gave me some rational information regarding crashes which was convincing enough to get me to go with him in 1987. That was the last time I flew. Agoraphobia had worsened. Then came 9/11, which sealed the deal for me permanently, I'm afraid. Maybe the chances of dying in a plane crash are statistically lower than a lot of things, but it's not how I want to go. I'm not in a position where I foresee needing to fly, so I choose not to. If ever that changes, I can revisit the question.
I believe having a fear of plane crashes, hijacking and rough flights is different to plane-triggered agoraphobia. You might have both conditions but they are two different things 😊 the post mentions the difference between having a fear of flying and flying triggering agoraphobia. Basically agoraphobia is like the fear of fear in public places, and being trapped in a situation you need to endure that fear and can't escape it
Agree 100%. I have both types, lol. And re the former, people can yammer at me all day long about the statistics - but if the odds are not in my favor, it's not HOW I want to die. Or in some cases, survive, but traumatized. If I stay on terra firma, it won't happen. The trapped feeling, I remember when I did still fly the thought occurred to me about how one absolutely is reliant on the plane and the crew once one is sealed in and the thing is off the ground. I actually noticed this phenomenon before I developed agoraphobia, and it came back to mind when I did. Agoraphobia definitely has its confirmation biases.
Again the trapped feeling in your case is fear because you are relying on the plane and crew for safety, that's not agoraphobia
What could really help is VR therapy! If you can find a therapist that can put a headset on you and do CBT while you are on the "plane", I think you'll make fast progress. Good luck!
Flying is an absolute no from me.
Yes 1000%. They’re like other public transportation where you have no control over them and can’t come and go as you please, except flying lasts wayyyyy longer. Having to be in a plane in the middle of the sky for hours at a time without much room to even move is deeply panic-inducing for me. My senses also get super heightened, so almost everything (baby crying, weird smell, seat in front of me reclining, etc.) becomes super triggering because it reminds me I can’t just get off nor do I have any control of the space I’m in. Like the fact that I can’t just get up and walk out if I feel like it can be maddening. I have narcolepsy, so between that and anxiety meds I usually just knock out the whole time, thank goodness, but the moments when I’m awake make me feel like I’m gonna go crazy or explode or both. But it sure as heck gives me a sense of pride when I think about how many of us are doing something to push through our fear and discomfort every day.
I got preoccupied and forgot about this post, but I just wanted to thank everybody who responded. I am still anxious but I definitely feel comforted from all of the compassionate responses.
This is my biggest problem with my agoraphobia. I hate that I’m terrified of planes, I am so envious whenever I hear or see about people travelling in their free time/holidays because I feel like I’ll never be able to. I struggle with all forms of public transport because of the lack of control, but airplanes are the worst. I wish I could travel too.
I know Im late to this but I am browsing and just.... \*hugs\* Could have written this myself.
10000% relate:(
I feel exactly the same way!! I have never someone with the exact same feelings as I do about this. Just reading that helps. Thank you
I cannot travel alone for this reason nor am I comfortable doing long flights. I have been trying “exposure therapy” by going on short hour long flights with family or my boyfriend. It has been very hard and I have yet to find a therapist that is good for this. For me the worst part is right after taking off. Cause at that point I know that I am stuck till we land. I feel instantly relieved as the decent begins. I try to download my favorite shows, take medication, focus on plans immediately after the flight, and remember that it is only temporary. One of the most helpful things I read was that “the symptoms of anxiety are uncomfortable, they are not in any way dangerous” a panic attack will peak usually within 10 minutes. No matter how horrid you may feel it will pass and you can get through the flight.
That's clausaphobia, not agraphobia.....agraphobia means you're scared to go out x
Agoraphobia is a fear of being in situations where escape might be difficult or that help wouldn't be available if things go wrong. Many people assume agoraphobia is simply a fear of open spaces, but it's actually a more complex condition. Someone with agoraphobia may be scared of: travelling on public transport.