Can I Talk With A Flight Attendant About My Mental Health? | The Guest House (2024)

Recently, we discussed how to handle an anxiety attack while flying on a plane. One resource we did not discuss was talking to a flight attendant. Of course, flight attendants are not mental health professionals, nor are they trained professionals other than their job requirements for being a flight attendant. However, flight attendants are likely to have some training in handling a mental health crisis because it is one of the many emergency situations which can take place while en route. Flight attendants may be trained in what is called Mental Health First Aid and have the tools available to help you work through a mental health crisis like a panic attack or an anxiety attack.

Flight attendants are used to comforting unaccompanied minors who are afraid of flying or terrified of being alone on the plane. Hysterics and temper tantrums are common place. While an anxiety attack is neither hysterical nor a temper tantrum, the operations are mostly the same. Children feel threatened and go into survival mode, the same fight or flight response taking place when you are experiencing anxiety. How a flight attendant would talk to and calm a child experiencing anxiety is how they can help you. Moreover, just talking to a kind, understanding, and compassionate individual is helpful. Flight attendants will be skilled in helping you take your mind off the anxiety. They’ll ask you all about where your from, what you do, what your family is like, where you’re going, what you’ll do there- they’ll ask you to tell stories, describe things that you like, and remind you that everything is going to be okay. You might even be offered an extra snack or a full can of a beverage of your choice- high ticket consolation prices on a plane ride.

Living with anxiety can mean living with the shame and stigma society puts on mental illness. If you are yearning to speak with someone about your anxiety, don’t be afraid to walk into the flight attendant cabin and tell them exactly what is going on. Be honest about your experience- you have anxiety and you are currently experiencing an anxiety attack. Ask for what you need- do you need water? Some food? Someone to talk to? Rather than be met with judgment and criticism, you’ll likely immediately encounter empathy and praise for being so brave as to speak up and ask for support.

The Guest House Ocala specializes in the treatment of trauma, addictions, and related mental health issues like anxiety. Everyone has a story. If you are living with unmanageable anxiety as a result of trauma it is critical for you to know, you are not alone. Help is available. You can and you will recover. Call us today for information on our custom plans of treatment and our private luxury care: 1-855-483-7800

Can I Talk With A Flight Attendant About My Mental Health? | The Guest House (2024)

FAQs

Can I tell the flight attendant I have anxiety? ›

Tell the flight crew... no, seriously. They are trained to deal with all kinds of situations, including anxious fliers. They will keep an eye on you during the flight.

Do flight attendants help people with anxiety? ›

Flight attendants (especially the senior ones) are used to providing moral support to nervous passengers. As a flight attendant, I would make sure to check in with any fearful flyers numerous times throughout the flight, and so many of them told me how much this helped to ease their nerves.

Where is the best place to sit on a plane if you have anxiety? ›

"So if you are scared of flying or feel sick when you experience turbulence, sit at the front of the aircraft," Nicholson said. Koukol added: "If the motion [on the plane] causes you any emotional distress, I always recommend sitting at a window seat and keeping your eyes on the horizon, particularly during take-off."

What to do when your mental health is declining? ›

How can I help myself?
  1. Tell people what helps. If certain treatments have helped in the past, tell your doctor. ...
  2. Spot your early warning signs. If you can, try to be aware of how you're feeling, and watch out for any signs you might be becoming unwell. ...
  3. Keep a mood diary. ...
  4. Build your self-esteem.

How do flight attendants deal with anxious passengers? ›

Ask for a seat change

“At Eastern, if we notice a passenger is really nervous about their journey in the skies, and they're seated toward the back, we offer to re-accommodate them to another part of the aircraft where the turbulence may feel lighter, like the front of the aircraft or near the wings,” Jiménez said.

Should I tell the flight attendant I'm scared? ›

Let them know you are an anxious flyer

Cici's second tip is to let the crew know you are an anxious flyer and tell them what seat you are in. There is no shame in asking for help, and flight attendants can be a great source of comfort for anxious flyers.

What calms flight anxiety? ›

Practice deep breathing and relaxation exercises to manage anxiety symptoms. Focus on slow, deep breaths to calm your nervous system. Meditation and mindfulness techniques can also be beneficial in centering your thoughts and reducing anxious feelings.

Can a flight attendant have ADHD? ›

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), formerly called Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), and medications used for treatment may result in cognitive deficits that pose a risk to aviation safety.

Is it OK to fly with anxiety? ›

In fact, an estimated one in three people experience some level of anxiety when it comes to flying. The good news is that there are practical and effective ways to manage your anxiety so you can fly with more confidence and ease. If in doubt, try our Calming Flight Anxiety meditation series.

Why do I have such bad flight anxiety? ›

Specific triggers might include: News stories about terrorism, crashes or violence on airplanes. Take-off and landing. Thoughts about fire or illness spreading through the plane.

Where is the bumpiest place to sit on a plane? ›

Seats at the back of the plane tend to be bumpier, and sitting towards the back also means you're one of the last passengers to get off the plane after landing. Similarly, the bulkheads at the front of the cabin are where families with babies and young children sit.

What is the hardest mental illness to live with? ›

Borderline personality disorder is one of the most painful mental illnesses since individuals struggling with this disorder are constantly trying to cope with volatile and overwhelming emotions.

What are the signs of deteriorating mental health? ›

Behaviour change is key, this may be the more 'typical' signs such as:
  • Seeming 'sad'
  • Lacking energy.
  • Loss of interest in day-to-day life.
  • Withdrawn.
  • Negative thoughts.
  • Anxious.
  • Low self-esteem.

How do I know if I'm mentally unstable? ›

Mental health problems are common, so it's important to be aware of possible signs. Feeling worried, depressed, guilty, worthless or feeling an exaggerated sense of 'high' may be signs of a mental health issue. Changes in sleep, weight, personal hygiene or activity at school or work may hint at a mental health issue.

Why is my mental health decreasing? ›

Physical or emotional abuse, dropping out of school, a parent losing their job, financial difficulties at home, parental divorce, exposure to suicide, illness, or loss of a loved one are all correlated with poor mental health outcomes.

Why did my mental health decline? ›

Possible reasons why mental health is getting worse include factors like social media use and isolation or loneliness. However, other factors like family history and experiences with other health conditions can play a role too. Here's what you need to know.

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