What are the main reasons behind fear of flying?
Fear of flying is a specific type of phobia and can be its own entity or tied into one of the many fears identified within Generalized Anxiety Disorder.
Fear of flying can be triggered by any one of a number of factors or the trigger can be unknown. People can develop a fear of flying after being on a highly turbulent flight. Or they may develop a fear of air travel after recent news about terrorism, crashes or equipment malfunctions.
However, sometimes it’s less about the fear of flying and more about the individual fearing they will lose control of themselves once the plane leaves the ground. People who struggle with panic symptoms or claustrophobia often worry about having a panic attack in the air. They may fear embarrassing themselves in front of other passengers, fear of choking, fear of passing out, or fear of losing control. The small enclosed space of the aircraft combined with the inability to exit the plane perpetuate their fear of flying.
What are some symptoms people feel with fear of flying?
People can have a wide range of symptoms including anticipation about air travel weeks or even months beforehand. Some may experience increased panic symptoms before or during the flight, including heart palpitations, difficulty breathing, dizziness, dry mouth, tremors, hot flushes, excessive sweating, racing thoughts, and fear of losing control.
Has the prevalence of fear or flying increased in the recent months?
With all the recent news stories about airplane accidents, there has been an influx of people who are afraid to travel. Many of these people report having been avid travelers and now feel significantly impacted by this phobia. It is common to see people avoid flying or rely on medications to help them through the flights.
What makes fear of flying different from other anxieties?
Unlike other types of anxieties like Generalized Anxiety or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, fear of flying is classified as a situational type phobia and, as mention above, can be triggered by many factors including fear of turbulence, accidents, malfunctions, terrorism, and feeling of a loss of personal control.
Do facts or data about air travel help some people reduce their anxiety?
Facts and statistics help people, at least in the short term, cope with their intolerance for uncertainty and unpredictability that accompany air travel. Data points about turbulence, take off, landing, and crash statistics offer people a sense of control and comfort in an otherwise uncertain world.
Do statistics about air travel offer anxiety sufferers long-term reassurance?
Unfortunately, this type of fact-driven reassurance only offers short-term relief. Most people who struggle with anxiety feel vulnerable to the very slight possibility that something bad will happen to the plane or to themselves while on board the aircraft. This can lead people to compulsively seek out reassurance, and can actually contribute to some people feeling more out of control.
How can support groups benefit people with flying phobia?
People often find solace in knowing that they are not alone in their struggles with anxiety. In addition, individuals who share their success stories about flying offer hope and confidence to others who may be avoiding air travel.
What about online communities like Reddit or Quora? Can these platforms help educate people with flying phobia and offer useful tips to manage anxiety around air travel?
Online communities like Reddit and Quora can be useful in normalizing people’s anxiety struggles. However, since the online resources are typically not mediated by a mental health professional, there is also the possibility that unhelpful comments can potentially hinder people’s progress.
Do these online platforms offer emotional support?
Online posts can be helpful or harmful depending on how they are worded and interpreted. Most of the comments are quite encouraging and even informative. People are very proud to share their positive experiences and valuable insights. Many encourage others to face their challenges, turn fear about travel into excitement, and most importantly to believe in themselves.
Is it possible for online groups to perpetuate fear unintentionally?
Unfortunately, group anxiety can be readily contagious. The same way people look towards others for calm reassurance, people can absorb other people’s fears and worries. Mirror neurons in our brain mimic the emotions and energies that surround us. This is especially true for people who are already in a heightened state of anxiety or who tend to be genetically more susceptible to anxiety.
Is joining a support group beneficial for fear of flying?
It is important to find a group that focuses on helpful techniques, positive mindset, and a supportive environment in which people feel comfortable to share their experiences. It can be beneficial to have a knowledgeable facilitator lead the group. When possible, choose a group that is structured and focuses specifically on fear of flying, not other anxiety-related issues. It is helpful to find groups that focus on relaxation training, cognitive reframing, self-compassion and setting realistic goals.
How can individual psychotherapy assist people with this phobia? How long will it take? How much will it cost?
Short-term, action-oriented psychotherapy , specifically cognitive behavioral therapy, can help people overcome their fears about flying. Although length of treatment can vary depending on the severity and presentation of symptoms, many people can feel relief within a few sessions. Treatment can be spread out weekly or be more intensive based on the individual timeline. The cost of treatment also varies widely depending on the years of experience of your therapist, location, and type of academic degree.
Dr. Suzanne Feinstein is a Columbia University-trained Clinical Psychologist who specializes in evidence-based treatments such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people with a wide array of anxiety disorders. She uses Exposure Therapy and Response Prevention (ERP), mindfulness, meditation, cognitive reframing, and other techniques to help people get over their fear of flying.