Overcoming the Fear of Flying

Overcoming the Fear of Flying Phobias Types Print Aerophobia: the Fear of Flying Symptoms, Related Conditions, and Treatment Options By Lisa Fritscher Lisa Fritscher is a freelance writer and editor with a deep interest in phobias and other mental health topics. Learn about our editorial policy Lisa Fritscher Medically reviewed by on February 10, 2020 Frederic Cirou / Getty Images More in Phobias Types Causes Symptoms and Diagnosis Treatment Aerophobia, or the fear of flying, may be associated with numerous other phobias, but sometimes it appears on its own. The fear of flying is estimated to affect as many as one in three people, although a full-blown phobia is significantly less common. Travel delays, common when flying at popular times, can make the fear of flying worse. Whether or not your fear of flying has developed into a phobia, it can have devastating effects on your quality of life. Symptoms The symptoms of aerophobia, also known as aviophobia, are similar to those of any specific phobia. Physical symptoms of the fear of flying may include: ShakingSweatingGastrointestinal distressHeart palpitationsFlushed skinFeeling disorientedClouded thinkingIrritability Some people with a fear of flying are reasonably comfortable at the airport, but begin to experience symptoms just before boarding the plane. Others have difficulty that begins as soon as they reach the airport. Anticipatory anxiety, in which you start experiencing the fear of flying long before a scheduled flight, is extremely common. Related Phobias The fear of flying may be caused or worsened if you have certain other phobias, including: Claustrophobia:  People with claustrophobia often experience a fear of flying due to the confined quarters and lack of personal space.Social or germ phobia:  Those with social phobia or fear of germs often develop a fear of flying because they will be forced to spend long periods of time with strangers.Fear of heights:  A general fear of heights can also lead to a fear of flying. Related Physical Conditions Some physical disorders can lead to a fear of flying, including: Sinus or middle-ear blockage, which can cause pain or dizziness during flight.Having a cold, chronic sinus problems, or conditions such as vertigo or ear disorders  can cause a very real fear of developing physical discomfort.Cardiovascular disease or other conditions that increase your risk of blood clots, which can cause  concerns about developing deep vein thrombosis during a flight. Talk to your doctor about any physical conditions prior to your flight to develop a plan of action to minimize risk and discomfort. Causes A fear of flying that is not caused by medical concerns or other phobias may be caused by a range of factors, including: Experiencing a traumatic flight or plane crash:  Even watching extensive news coverage of airline disasters can be enough to trigger a fear of flying. For example, much of the country developed at least a minimal fear of flying in the wake of the September 11 attacks.Environment:  If your parents suffered from a fear of flying, you may have internalized their trepidation. This is a particularly common cause of aerophobia in children  but affects many adults as well. You might pick up the fear of flying from another relative or friend, but parents seem to have the biggest influence on phobias.Other related circumstances:  Your aerophobia might also be rooted in an entirely different conflict. For example, a fear of flying that develops soon after a job promotion that requires travel could be caused by concerns about the job itself or its impact on your daily life. Likewise, children who must fly frequently to visit divorced parents sometimes develop aerophobia as a coping mechanism fo r the trauma of the divorce. Overcoming the Fear of Flying Fortunately, the fear of flying is relatively easy to treat, even without knowing the underlying cause. Some common treatments include: Group classes: If you do not suffer from other physical or psychological disorders, you may be a good candidate for a fear of flying course. These classes typically last two or three days, often over a weekend, and use techniques of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to treat a large group simultaneously. They are available in many major cities.Individual therapy: Individual cognitive-behavioral therapy,  hypnotherapy, and virtual reality techniques can also improve your fear of flying.Education: Learning about how airplanes work, why turbulence happens, and what various sounds and bumps mean can also help.Exposure: Experts agree that the best way to overcome the fear of flying is controlled exposure, whether thats through virtual reality, a flight simulation, or actually flying.Anxiety management techniques: Learning how to breathe deeply, recognize panicked and irrational thoughts and correct them, and finding other ways to cope such as listening to music, taking an anti-anxiety me dication, or reading magazines, can all help manage aerophobia. Treatment Can Boost Your Quality of Life If you are experiencing a fear of flying, its best to make an appointment with a qualified mental health professional. He or she can diagnose the phobia, determine whether you have any concurrent disorders, and develop an individualized treatment plan. The fear of flying can have a devastating impact on your quality of life. With proper treatment, however, you can learn to manage and even beat this common phobia.