On again, Off again flight anxiety

[a la izquierda]

Howdy. I hope this is an okay place to post this. I'm wondering if any DUers have flight anxiety. I've been flying a lot in the last two years (10+ times per year). Normally, a quarter of a xanax gets me through any 3-4 hour flight, which is about the longest flight I ever have to deal with. Lately, however, I've been an anxious wreck about flying. There's no real reason for it: I've never had what anyone could call a bad experience on a plane.
Let me back up: I started flying at 21. I hated it from the get-go. I used to have to take Klonapin when i flew from L.A. to NYC or vice versa. But living in Oklahoma, it's just not a viable option, because of the extreme sedative nature of the drug. I got good at flying for a little while, able to do so with ease and a beta-blocker. Those days are over. I had a terrible panic attack returning to OKC from Mexico in July. I had to spend time with the flight attendants in the galley. It was horribly embarrassing.
So, I'm flying on Wednesday, and I've already started with the panic attacks. I'm leaving for a wedding and honestly, if I could get out of it, I would (I'm in the wedding, so how terrible is that?). I don't know if I hate the flying part, or just the traveling part.

Any suggestions (besides more meds)? How have you overcome flight anxiety, if you've had it?
Thanks in advance...

[Tobin S.]

1. I don't have any good ideas, but I just wanted to say that I can empathize

I used to have to fly for my job and I hated it. Turbulence frightened me the most. I actually quit that job because of it. It doesn't help me when people say that it's statistically safer than driving. I know it's irrational, but that doesn't help me either.

You may be able to make some progress in talk therapy, but I think that's more of a long-term way of attacking the problem. I think your Xanax is your best choice in the short-term.

[a la izquierda]

2. Thanks!

My brother-in-law is a pilot and assures me that I'll be fine. I too hate turbulence, and not one shred of my anxiety is rational.

My friend just said "it's a good thing spiders don't fly". combining my only two phobias would put me over the edge. :)

[mdmc]

3. I drive everywhere

I (like Ted Kennedy) think that Bush put me on the no-fly list cause I support the ACLU.

I have no advice except perhaps a good talk therapy with some relaxation exercises might be of benefit to ya.

peace and low stress..

[EFerrari]

4. When my flying thing was at its worst, I did take Klonopin

and I got an audio tape of a book (a play actually, The Importance of Being Ernest) and a copy of the book, too. I listened and read at the same time, completely checking out. That helped because my mind was already occupied and couldn't go scooting off into fearfulness. fwiw