Panic attack while in the plane flying

[Jo3]

Yesterday I was on a plane from Gold Coast to Melbourne after a week on holidays.  Half way into the flight I started to feel panicky, sick in the stomach and wanted to throw up.  I knew it was a panic attack as I've had this before.  But it felt 100 times worse being in a plane with lots of other people and fearing of being judged.

I could feel myself getting worse and the next thing I told my husband that I was feeling faint and very hot.  Next thing I remember was slouching over him and wanting to lie down (to which I couldn't because there was another person in our row of seats).  After about 15 minutes my husband finally got a wet towel from the crew and I started to come good.  The one thing that really pissed me off was my husband's comment when I told him I was going to faint - "don't be stupid" - as if it is something I would do on a plane - faint.  That was the most ridiculous comment I've ever heard.  I'm still annoyed at his comment and his very relaxed behaviour towards me when I was feeling quite sick.

I guess I will talk with my psych this week and get some suggestions as to what to do if it happens again.  I really hope it doesn't happen again because now I am fearing flying for that reason.

 Does anyone have any advice - apart from book a row of 3 seats so I can lie down without my husband!!!!

Jo

[Chris_B]

Hi Jo,

Has your husband been with you during a panic attack before?  Perhaps he didn't quite understand the severity of what was happening, or he felt embarrassed/helpless himself hence his terse reaction.

It would be good to talk to your psych so it doesn't develop into a phobia, but given that you are prone to panic attacks, it might be worth talking to the airline when booking in future (if you feel the need to) so you can feel more supported and less embarrassed.  Fear of flying is very common and I'm sure that airline staff have been trained to cope with distressed passengers.

best
CB

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Online Community Manager  

[Jo3]

Hi Chris,

My husband has been with me before when I've had panic attacks.  It just makes me angry because I needed him to help me not make comments like he did. Maybe he was embarassed to ask for help but I couldn't because I had fainted.

Yes, I will talk with my psych about this tomorrow. And talking to the airline when booking is probably a good idea.

Jo

[Lillybell]

Hi Jo, I also suffer with panic attacks. It began when I developed an extreme fear of being a passenger in a car. I get absolutely terrified and feel as if I'm going to die. It also spread to travelling in buses and in cabs. I experienced it once on a plane. Because some of the situations I've been in have been while at work supporting a disabled lady, I've had to really focus on controlling my thoughts. I did this by using my phone and just trying to take my thoughts to a different place. I've noticed that my anxiety levels rise when I'm stressed or under a lot of pressure. For me that can even be good stress. My daughter got married recently and I noticed that my panic attacks on the buses came back during the period leading up to it.

[Jo3]

Hi Lillybell

Thanks for your post.  I think my anxiety rises when I am stressed and under so much emotionally.  I'm hoping to discuss this with my psych.

Take care

Jo

[Jessie83]

Eeek, I have this same thing. I have just got a job where I have to fly a fair bnit, I don't know what I was thinking!!!! 

From expereince, just tell the flight attendants you are a terrible flyer. They will check in on you form time to time and make sure you have enough water. If it gets bad, I go and stand at the very back of the plane, behind the toilets. It helps to have some space and the crew will have a listening ear (when your husband doesn't!) Has your husband read the biological reasons behind a panic attack? When my artner did it helped to put it into context for him and he copes a lot better now. Good luck!!

[hamishandme]

I have the same problem, have had a lot of panic attacks on flights. Tell the staff, they can be great. Also my husband used to be a pilot and he loves planes, so when there's a funny noise or turbulence or anything, he reassures me and says don't worry, that's completely normal. I never had any problems, used to love flying until I became a mother. It is a very common reaction to stress. 

My husband used to tease me. He teased me about it only once, when we were walking past a tiny plane a Dach 8 (i HATE small planes despite having flown in them years ago) and he said "that's it, that's the plane that's taking us to New Zealand". I burst into tears and hid behind a billboard in the gate lounge and refused to move. He never did it again. He didn't realise how much I hate it. He does now. 

I hold my breath or breathe into a paper bag to lessen the excessive amounts of oxygen going into my blood. I try to avoid meds as they make me sleepy but I do carry them in my purse as sometimes I need them. But the best thing is to tell the flight attendants - they are well trained and very helpful.