me too
i hate flying and now have tablets. they are great except they are infact too good. to the extent that i cannot recall most of what happens once i have taken the tablet for about 24 hours!!! not good if you are travelling alone, but fine if you are with someone!

flying is not natural!!!!!

I think you wonder why you put through yourself so much stress. I know it'll be worth it in the long run. I just hope I really like it there and dont need to fly back again in a few months time. Good luck to all flying soon.

XANAX.

I know the plane will most likely not crash, be hijacked, or any of the other scenarios. I don't have my licence but I've flown a single engine prop and yes while it helps to be in control the pilots on a jet ain't going to let me near the cockpit. What I hate is the claustrophobia and the "help I can't get off/out" feelings. Almost everyone with an anxiety disorder is scared shitless of flying, and many who don't have a true anxiety disorder are also scared shitless. It is no more rational than being scared of spiders but there you are.

Try the hypnotherapy - trust me, I felt EXACTLY like you and have flown many times over the last 15 years. I almost cancelled our reccy trip out of fear of the flight over. I had two hypnotherapy sessions as a last resort ( I am a total sceptic of things like that ) and I LOVED the flights there and back. It has made a huge difference to my life. Make sure you ask the therapist if they will do mental rehersal with you. That was the bit that helped me I believe.

You have nothing to lose by trying it, and if it helps make you feel half as calm as I was then it will have been worth it.

We are moving to Melbourne in 10 weeks, via a long trip across America that will involve lots of lights. There is no way I could have contemplated a trip like that last year - now I can't wait and I am not anxious at all. Having said that, I will probably arrange for another mental rehersal session just before we leave as a bit of a refresher.

Best of luck to you all.