Upvote:0
Since you specifically say that your fear does not arise from thoughts that the plane may crash, etc., most answers that relate to fear of flying will not apply to you.
I speculate that your anxiety is more of a social nature. You are in a situation where you sit with many others who are rarely talking. This is different from travelling on a train because its a lot quieter on an airplane and the absence of conversation is more noticeable. You can try to start a conversation with the passenger next to you, but that doesn't always work out. I think its best to immerse yourself in other activities you like, e.g. reading a book, sleeping, watching something on the flight entertainment system, working on your laptop, gaming on your tablet. Keep yourself busy with something. Your brain will then have less time to cook up unpleasant scenarios.
PS: Resort to medication only after you have exhausted all other methods of controlling your fear.
Upvote:1
(This is my personal experience from flying 4-5 times a year)
It may differ from person to person, but my girlfriend always takes a pill against seasickness before takeoff (not because she gets sick, but because she has anxiety). It lasts around 5 hours and makes her really sleepy and she has that "I don't care"-feeling. After taking the pill, she tries to sleep (almost always successfully). However, the negative thing is that she is tired almost the whole day after taking it. BUT it prevents her from overreacting while on flight.
It's a german product, but you may find something appropiate in your country.