Air travel is now a common part of our culture. We could be traveling to another city for a business meeting or escaping for a well-deserved vacation, air travel is here to stay. However some people are afraid to fly or must endure an intense phobia and anxiety about air travel, much like others experience as panic attacks while they drive or sleep panic attacks.
It’s important to realize that aerophobia (another term for a fear of flying) can have it’s root cause in many different realms, it is not simply a fear of the act of flying. While some people might be afraid of the extreme altitude and what it would be like to fall from such a height, others might find that the claustrophobic environment is what sends them over the edge Others might have control issues trusting the pilot to fly the plane safely, while news reports of a recent plane crash could strike fear in others. Someone could be afraid to fly for literally countless reasons.
What sorts of advice can a person take to heart to make flying a more enjoyable thing?
First, find out where exactly your fear of flying is coming from and what sets it off. Can you think of anything that could spark this fear? Might it be related to something frightening or stressful in your childhood? It helps to know as much about your fear as possible so that you can be better equipped to handling it and moving past it and overcome the anxiety you face when you fly.
It may help to educate yourself more on the mechanics of aviation. Not knowing how airplanes work and why they can even fly in the first place can cause panic to some, so learning about them can be helpful. See if you can get your hands on a book or other media that will break down the physics of it in an easy to understand fashion.
Find a support group. Maybe you can turn to your friends and family, if you feel that they will understand and offer you support. Also look into internet forums and message boards where you can connect with others, share your experiences, and learn new techniques to manage anxiety. If you have money you might be able to find help from a psychologist or therapist that practices in your area.
You’re not alone. Plenty of people are afraid to fly. Many of them have been able to overcome the problem. Air travel should be exhilarating, taking you to far off destinations and exotic places. And you’ll see that it is once your fear of flying is behind you!
Knowing more about how flying works can help. But that doesn’t end the problem. Though remarkably safe, they are not absolutely safe. Crashes occur, though rarely, and a person who is anxiety-prone only feels safe when something is absolutely safe.
The feelings develop automatically. This is also why most forms of help don’t work. The only way to control the feelings is to establish control that is both automatic and protects the person from the feelings instantly.
I’m both an airline captain and licensed therapist. I’ve been successful in helping people conquer fear of flying for thirty years. To understand more, take a look at the eighteen minute video at http://fearofflying.com/store/free-video.shtml