Not sure what is happening to me

[Cameron1992]

Hi! My name is Cameron and I am a 47 year old woman. I have always been a little bit anxious but it has never stopped me from doing anything I want to do and I have never considered myself as someone who has an anxiety disorder. However, a couple of years ago, I started to feel more anxious than normal before flying. Then last year, I was on the last leg of a 15 hour flight when we hit turbulence and I experienced what I think was a full blown panic attack. My throat closed up, I could not breathe, heart pounding, hands and feet and funny enough, even my face, went numb. I buried my face on my husband's chest, held him in a death grip and sobbed for the entire flight.
Last week, I was supposed to fly to Phoenix, it was an hour and a half long flight. I had nightmares and extreme anxiety for 2 days before we left and the morning of the flight, I could not physically make myself get on the plane. I could feel the panic building and I knew once I got on that plane, I would have another attack. My husband, simply said, It's fine, we drive. 12 hours later, we arrived. I was embarrassed and ashamed but for me, this fear was very real and debilitating. I could not think clearly past the fear. I don't understand it and I don't know what to do going forward. I have never experienced this before. Is this normal to have this happen all of a sudden? Do I need to see a doctor? Do I need medication? Also, my mother, my sister and my daughter all suffer from anxiety. They are fine and as far as I know have not experienced a panic attack but they take medication everyday. I have always counted my lucky stars that this is not the case for me but now I wonder if I have just been in denial all this time. Anybody who can relate or give me some advise would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Cuchculan]

Anticipatory anxiety can happen to a person in advance / leading up to something that might have lead to a panic attack in the past. It is more normal than you might imagine. Your first full blown panic attack was on a plane. Your mind was aware of this. It brought on the anxiety when you knew you would be flying again. This does not have to mean you have an anxiety disorder. It might just involve flying. You could ask your doctor for something to help get you through a flight. I know loads of people who would never get on a plane. None of them have an anxiety disorder. Put them on a plane and they would freak out. Can be up there with some of the most common fears that people have.

 

[Cameron1992]

Anticipatory anxiety can happen to a person in advance / leading up to something that might have lead to a panic attack in the past. It is more normal than you might imagine. Your first full blown panic attack was on a plane. Your mind was aware of this. It brought on the anxiety when you knew you would be flying again. This does not have to mean you have an anxiety disorder. It might just involve flying. You could ask your doctor for something to help get you through a flight. I know loads of people who would never get on a plane. None of them have an anxiety disorder. Put them on a plane and they would freak out. Can be up there with some of the most common fears that people have.

Thank you so much! That makes a lot of sense. Thanks so much for your input. This will give me some information for when I see the doctor. I really appreciate it.

 

[Youssef]

Hi Cameron im new here to this too. I have Social Anxiety for years.

 

[ladybj]

Hi! My name is Cameron and I am a 47 year old woman. I have always been a little bit anxious but it has never stopped me from doing anything I want to do and I have never considered myself as someone who has an anxiety disorder. However, a couple of years ago, I started to feel more anxious than normal before flying. Then last year, I was on the last leg of a 15 hour flight when we hit turbulence and I experienced what I think was a full blown panic attack. My throat closed up, I could not breathe, heart pounding, hands and feet and funny enough, even my face, went numb. I buried my face on my husband's chest, held him in a death grip and sobbed for the entire flight.
Last week, I was supposed to fly to Phoenix, it was an hour and a half long flight. I had nightmares and extreme anxiety for 2 days before we left and the morning of the flight, I could not physically make myself get on the plane. I could feel the panic building and I knew once I got on that plane, I would have another attack. My husband, simply said, It's fine, we drive. 12 hours later, we arrived. I was embarrassed and ashamed but for me, this fear was very real and debilitating. I could not think clearly past the fear. I don't understand it and I don't know what to do going forward. I have never experienced this before. Is this normal to have this happen all of a sudden? Do I need to see a doctor? Do I need medication? Also, my mother, my sister and my daughter all suffer from anxiety. They are fine and as far as I know have not experienced a panic attack but they take medication everyday. I have always counted my lucky stars that this is not the case for me but now I wonder if I have just been in denial all this time. Anybody who can relate or give me some advise would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Cameron.. If you never had anxiety prior to flying, I agree with one of the other post, more than likely its not an Anxiety Disorder. I suffer with Anxiety from time to time and if I was to fly... I am sure I would probably need something to help keep me calm.