I once heard that an airplane in turbulence is like being in jello. It feels like you’re being jostled all over the place, but it’s more like wobbling in jello. Visualizing that (knowing it’s not just going to fall out of the sky) helps.

But I still get really anxious flying. It’s not death per se that I fear but having to experience immense fear before dying or knowing my family is about to die that terrifies me. Like those horror stories about planes going into a flat spin or nose diving or a suicidal pilot taking over, etc. scare me way more than a sudden explosion. Both are awful, but if I’m going to go while I’m in a metal tube in the sky, then I’d rather not have forewarning. Especially if my kids are flying with me. I would like to think I’d find the strength to stay calm and lie to them that we’d be ok, but I think I’d likely panic.

I’m nuts bc I actually like turbulence.

I was in CBT for this issue. I have a meditation audio I listen to when it happens and I also remind myself I’m safer in the air than driving on the Beltway.

No. I've been through severe turbulence where it felt like the plane was about to fall out of the sky and a couple people got injured. After that? Doesn't scare me.

I grilled a pilot once about all this and he said two things that stuck with me - they sort of like the turbulence because they feel like they're flying more and it's not just autopilot. So they don't get worried at all. And two, they don't want to die either!

Anonymous wrote:The dr didnt want to give me anxiety meds saying would be too drowsy after landing. Instead had me have benadryl.

That's backwards. Benadryl will have you drowsy and groggy for the rest of the day. That wasn't my experience with benzos. They'd help me sleep but I'd wake up feeling rested, not groggy.

The dr didnt want to give me anxiety meds saying would be too drowsy after landing. Instead had me have benadryl.

Xanax or some other med!

Seriously OP go to your doctor and take an anti-anxiety med. I did and now take ativan when I fly. There is zero reason to gut it out. Life is too short.

I count backwards to distract myself.

I use an app that forecasts turbulence - its very very helpful.

Anonymous wrote:I HAVE been through severe turbulance -- sometimes so bad we've had to divert or do go-arounds. Now I remind myself that each time, the plane landed safely.

Op here
That must have been scary.

Was it when in clouds/ Rain? Or what kind of weather was it?
What was the plane flying over at that time?

Op here,

I don’t fear death itself. We all have to go.

It’s the panic of the sudden fall of an aircraft fear when turbulence is severe ( I know they are built to withstand) Being enclosed in a tube structure stuck in sea etc

I don’t have any fear of water itself, been through many choppy waters in various boats and that doesn’t scare me.

I tried Benadryl but only slept through couple of hours and when flights are long and turbulence is still ongoing it scares me to no end.

I have flown hundreds of times, it just doesn’t get any better … sigh….

Anonymous wrote:Turbulence is pretty normal. I have never had severe turbulence while flying. If I get nervous, which is rare, I look to see the flight attendant’s reaction. They’re experienced flyers, if they aren’t phased and don’t look nervous, then I don’t worry about it.

This is key. If flight attendants seem chill, then I relax too. Turbulence is completely normal and planes are built to withstand even severe turbulence.

I HAVE been through severe turbulance -- sometimes so bad we've had to divert or do go-arounds. Now I remind myself that each time, the plane landed safely.