Panic Attacks And Public Transport

[trappedinlife]

I have anxiety suffer panic attacks and ptsd as well as agoraphobia. My biggest fear is catching trains as I feel trapped on them and yes I can get off them but then I'm stuck in a place I'm not sure of and still have to find a way home or to where I was going. How do I beat my fear of being on a train for an hour. I use to want to travel the world but now I'm afraid of planes because what if I freak out? I'm trapped. Advice would be great.

 

[Notsowild]

I can definitely relate to what you're saying @brooke lee

I too have a fear of public transport and planes. I think it's the confinement thing. If a train or bus is too crowded I can't get on.. I'll wait for the next one

I have flown but only short flights. The best thing for me is to distract myself. I bring magazines to read or music helps. I too would like to travel more. I know my Moms doctor gave her Ativan for her fear of flying.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

Can you find a therapist who will work with you doing exposure therapy? I've heard of classes that help those with a fear of flying.

 

[trappedinlife]

Can you find a therapist who will work with you doing exposure therapy? I've heard of classes that help those with a fear of flying.

I am going exposure therapy, I am at the point where I can catch a bus ten minutes down the road, but I can't catch the bus back because it goes a longer way, so I am still trying to work my way around these fears. Thanks for the advice guys

 

[Upside Down Eagle]

I have a fear of public transport but only when there is a ton of people on them. I'm not sure how the trains in your country look like but maybe you know these "rooms" between the sitting compartments. I always avoid rush hour and always sit in that part of the train because no one else wants to sit there (it's uncomfortable and you hear the screaching of the wheels a lot but I don't mind that).

I hate busses because there is no place to escape to when you are on them, no quiet place. They enfuriate me and I tend to take my bike rather than a bus as often as I can. Has worked for me pretty well. Funny enough I don't have a fear of flying but that's because I aspire to fly planes myself. I guess if I were a bus driver, maybe it wouldn't be that bad either.

 

[Tobacha]

I have a fear of taking public transport...It makes me think of how angry I am that the busses take too long..I think it has to do with my anger more than anything....It seems that when I get angry at something or have a resentment toward me or whatever it feeds into the panic and anxiety. I ought to try exposure therapy...Anyway you aren't alone :)

 

[trappedinlife]

Good to know I am not alone, and thanks for the feedback guys. I'm just going to try and keep myself busy on buses and trains, flying ill try later down the track :)

 

[KP the nut]

I am very anxious when travelling. I can now do it but I am almost OCD with my preparations. I have the route firmly planted in my mind and fall apart if the plan should deviate.

I have an emergency kit with me containing, essential lemon oil (scent), my small moss agate turtle (touch), my iPod, which includes a grounding exercise recorded by my old therapist (sound) and fruit sherbets - must be M&S (taste) and if they all fail, diazepam. These are in addition to my fully charged phone, kindle, tissues, wet wipes........

I am flying with my family from the UK to Florida via New York soon and am stressing about it so much. Hopefully the above will help.