[garduque]

I fly just about once a week and have for 18 years or so. Never had a problem with it until 5 years ago when we had our first kid, and that's when anxiety started. I would have a recurring dream about my plane rolling over and pancaking into the ground. Sometimes I would have that dream while I was sleeping in a plane, which was fun. Panic attacks - the kind that start to feel like a heart attack - were common.

It lasted for almost a year. I saw a doctor to make sure there was no underlying physical condition I should be worried about. (Being able to tell yourself that it's probably not a heart attack when it feels like a heart attack is really helpful.) He recommended talking to a therapist, which I should have done but didn't. I did self medicate with alcohol more than I should have, and I don't recommend that.

Ultimately I found that a stress free airport routine (plenty of time, pre check, and hanging in the club lounge) helped as did breathing exercises while on board. Generally in life it was get more exercise, put the phone away, reduce work stress, and so on. Just regular life stuff. But I never stopped flying, and eventually the anxiety stopped.

This 737MAX nonsense is certainly bothersome, but to me no more so than all the other ways the whole thing can go south in any given aircraft in any given day.

Bottom line, I would suggest talking to someone who can help you identify the possible underlying issues. Hope you can work it out.