HOW TO OVERCOME A FEAR OF FLYING?
The world is an amazing place and so enticing, but for many people where they go and what they do are severely limited because of a fear of flying.
Fear of flying is a phobia in itself but can also be onset by other phobias like claustrophobia (fear of enclosed spaces) or agoraphobia (fear of open spaces).
WHAT ARE PEOPLE AFRAID OF?
It comes down to redirecting your unconscious mind. On the surface, you know your fear of flying is illogical. But it has persisted because your subconscious has linked a whole load of powerful negative emotions – mainly fear – to the very thought of flying.
The fear of flying may be created by various other phobias and fears:
fear of crashing which most likely results in death.
a fear of closed in spaces (claustrophobia), such as that of an aircraft cabin
a fear of heights (acrophobia)
a feeling of not being in control
fear of vomiting, motion sicknesscan make the person vomit, thus making flying hard.
fear of having panic attacksin certain places, where escape would be difficult and/or embarrassing (agoraphobia)
fear of turbulence
fear of flying over water or night flying
A previous traumatizing experience with air travel or somehow connected to flying can also trigger a fear of flying. For example, the experience of flying to a meeting only to be told that one has been fired might be traumatic enough to subsequently create an association between any air travel and bad or unpleasant events.
Some suggest that the mediaare a major factor behind fear of flying, and claim that the media sensationalize airline crashes (and the high casualty rate per incident), in comparison to the perceived scant attention given to the massive number of isolated automobile crashes.
Symptoms:
A feeling of uncontrollable anxiety when you think about or are exposed to flying
- The feeling that you must do everything possible to avoid flying
- The inability to function normally because of your anxiety
- Often, the knowledge that your fears are unreasonable or exaggerated but feeling powerless to control them
- A type of panic attack can take hold
- Physical symptoms include: heart palpitations, clammy hands, dizziness, numbness, nausea
TIPS:
1. Do a course – there are courses you can attend or you can also do them online from home
Most courses are run by psychologists using CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) but this can be an expensive process. The online course are much cheaper than a private visit to a therapist.
Other courses run by airlines and travel companies can cover off on the practical aspects of flying.
2. Learn about how an aircraft works – Information from trusted and authoritative sources on commercial aviation, including safety, aerodynamics, engineering and maintenance, the sources of those in-flight noises and movements, weather and controlled airspace
understand what all the noises are – how the wings are tilted for take off and landing, the sound that is made when the wheels are put out for landing, etc.
The practical knowledge can often help overcome an unfounded fear.
3. Hypnotherapy can be very helpful if the fear of flying has developed as a result of an ISE – initial sensitising event. Often the ISE has nothing to do with flying but manifests as this.
Many people that have a fear of flying do not have an ISE experience. Researchers suggest that it is the inadequate development of an ability to regulate emotion when facing uncertainty, except through feeling in control or able to escape. Chronic stress & emotional dysfunction in the first 2 years of life hinders the integration of the emotional control system! (Does that mean it’s the parents fault again!)
4. Gradual 'real life' exposure to airports and aircraft, culminating in a flight. Psychologists often help their clients by teaching them relaxation skills and thought-changing strategies, then guiding them in their use of these techniques on a stationary aircraft until the anxiety lowers and becomes bearable. Some people might need to do this at the airport first, then in the waiting lounge, then the jet way, and then at the aircraft entrance. This form of gradual exposure and anxiety reduction is preferred to the use of alcohol or other mood-altering substances.
