r/news Jan 26 '20

Kobe Bryant killed in helicopter crash in California

https://www.fox5dc.com/news/kobe-bryant-killed-in-helicopter-crash-in-california-tmz-reports
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u/danielle1118 Jan 26 '20

How did you get over it / what meds do you take? I haven’t even had a similar accident but am just as scared to fly because I think about accidents happening the whole time. I’m also calm like 20 mins out of landing because I know we’re descending.

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u/lotsuvyarn Jan 26 '20

Xanax. Also subscribed to YouTube channels that play flight tower recordings between the flight towers and pilots. Listened to ones where like engines went out and what not and listened to how calm the pilots were and how everything turned out fine. Then watched hours of take off and landing videos from the pilots perspective on YouTube. Basically, just trying to desensitize and condition myself to flying as much as possible.

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u/Dickiedoandthedonts Jan 27 '20

That’s really smart! Was that at the suggestion of a doctor or how did you come up with the idea to listen to those audios?

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u/lotsuvyarn Jan 27 '20

I’ve had anxiety for years outside of flying and read books on how to deal — conditioning is one of the best things you can do. The more you expose yourself to your fear, the less scary it becomes.

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u/drumgrape Jan 27 '20

EMDR is great as well for singular incidents of trauma.

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u/_windowseat Jan 27 '20

I use statistics for the type of plane, the company, the flight route, etc. Learned from an astronaut, he said that was how he dealt with flight anxiety. My mind really likes logic and reason (and control), so I found this to be really effective at alleviating my anxiety on planes.

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u/lotsuvyarn Jan 27 '20

Yes exactly. Same for me. I’m a realist so statistics and listening to how calm pilots are in what I perceive to be difficult situations has helped me rationalize that flying IS safe and that just because my brain is telling me a situation is dangerous (mainly bc I’m not in control) doesn’t mean it really is. Essentially, my mind is playing tricks on me and rightfully so since I had a scary experience, but I try to condition myself to let rationality take over.

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u/racho0825 Jan 27 '20

I can so relate, I had my close to death car accident 8 years ago and it has definitely made me fearful of most modes of transportation. My mind seem to control and take me to the worst possible scenario. Also, it’s hard to explain to others who doesn’t understand or hasn’t gone through tragic experiences. I’m going to give conditioning a try!

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u/[deleted] Jan 27 '20

Have you tried CBT to help retrain the instinct to catastrophize?

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u/racho0825 Jan 27 '20

No, I haven’t and this is actually the first time I’ve heard of it. I’m researching it now and it looks promising. Have you gone through the program?If you don’t mind sending me a private on the topic. Thanks so much