You can get over that anxiety! Heck I'm half way around the world, non?

yes, but it has to be in my own time. And me forcing myself to go because of work is just going to make it worse... so i have to do it in baby steps...

Half-full or half-empty?
Perhaps you should look at it as anxiety over an opportunity, not anxiety over a threat?
Go, enjoy, take the opportunity. You can always come home again.
And sit up straight, you'll never meet the Buddha with posture like that;D.

hm. but where does that anxiety come from?

Is there the possibilty of turning the situation in to one that you would enjoy and possibly even look forward to? If, perchance, you were coming to Oregon I would adore getting to meet you face to face. I would hope that you would then acctually look forward to the trip. Depending on where you are going there are a lot of amazing things to do and see on this side of the border.

Xanax or valium.

Where would you have to go? Have someone waiting to greet you at the airport when you get there. It would make it somewhat easier.

Little steps or leap of faith, the latter has gotten me in to alot more trouble, but has also given me the higher rewards. You'll adapt to change and see the positives... If not I'll pinch your nose when I get there... that is if yer gonna be around when I get there.

My anxiety does not actually stem from the idea of having to travel for work, but, the anxiety comes from the idea of flying. I used to love flying when i was a kid,(still do), it used to be one of my favourite things to do. here's the odd part, as i have gotten older and started travelling a lot for work, i became increasingly nervous about flying, mainly the landings and then sept 11 happened, and for some really weird reason that affected me in a way i cannot explain.
And considering that i spent the day yesterday going through one panic attack after the other i know that it is something that i am not going to be able to resolve on my own... so one day maybe I'll take that leap again, hopefully with a really good friend to accompany me, but it going to have to be on my own time, and it is not going to be because work is forcing me to go.

Dad, but, but i like slouching, it's easier on the back muscles ;o)

Gina i would love to meet you face to face too, so if there's away i can get there by bus or train, i'll be there. And yes, the states does have a lot of interesting things to see.

Goddess, i considered those, but that would only help for the actual flight. I think counselling is the only thing that is going to help me get through this, and the anxiety attacks that come with someone mentioning to be that i might have to take a flight on my own to the states.

Oz bOy, yeah i should be here, you can take me to the train station. though the trip now hinges on if i can get my passport done on time.

Thank you all so much for your thoughts. *big squishy hugs* xox

Munin, true, the meds would only help with a small part of the overall anxiety, but that's the first step.

I went through a brief phase where I dreaded flying. Then, my daughter was born and I had to get back to San Diego to attend to family business. I worried about taking her on a plane. I worried about all the things one worries about with flying. And then I realized that I was being controlled by fear. I stopped myself and talked reason to myself: I had no control over what the universe had in store for me...but I had complete control over how I reacted to things that happen. It took two weeks of serious self talk and realizing that I HAD to get on that plane - for my family and for my daughter and for myself. I wasn't going to be a slave to fear. I focused on my daughter and my family waiting for me during that whole flight. After that, I was okay getting on a plane.

Well, I've offered to fly places with her (little flights) in order to see things together and be there with her. Hopefully that will help if and when it occurs.