Keep Smilin Blog

This is one big step for man and one giant leap for me kind . It was three years since I last went on holiday via a plane. Three years ago I got on a plane with my girlfriend at the time and had a pretty mammoth panic attack. This was following a flight to Portugal where I thought the plane looked like a levatating coffin! All I could think on both occasions was ‘I want to get the hell off, but I can’t’ so that escalated and before you know it I’ve inhaled more oxygen than the amazon rainforest produces in a year through hyperventalation and i’m trying to wrench myself off my seat and open the doors…. not wise.

Anyway this genuinely put the fear of God in me and I couldn’t face talking about a plane nevermind looking at one. Anyway through CBT and something wizardry called Graded Exposure I managed to go on a Fear of Flying course, where, with everyone else scared out of thier whits too you get on a flight after being told how safe it is. Nevertheless they didn’t discuss claustrophobia! The flight still terrified me and I felt unbelievalby uncomfortable, so over the space of 2 and 1/2 years I went on 2 more fear of flying courses and a trip to Glasgow on a commuter plane. Everytime I was bricking it, and in the meantime I left my mates stranded at an airport waiting for me to go on a skiing holiday, but I couldn’t face it. The last fear of flying course, thanks to CBT and graded exposure I had noticed the fear had reduced quite a lot from the first course. So, plucking up the courage I went on a 5 day holiday to Spain with a mate – absoutely loved it and enjoyed the flight. No doubt i’ve still got a long way go because I wouldn’t feel comfortable going on a long haul yet but hopefully one day.. in the not too distant future.

The motto of this story is that you will overcome fear if you are determined and it is something you want to beat. However, you have to do it in your time – if people pressurize you that won’t work, but you do need a degree of bum kicking to convince you to do  it. Look into CBT and graded exposure if you are interested in combating a phobia. Info on these can be found on www.keepsmilin.co.uk . You should consult a professional, such as a psychologist who will work with you in combating your phobia. There is no quick solution, but you will get there!!! Good luck.