On Sunday, July 25, United Airlines had yet another incident make the news. A United flight bound for New Orleans had to turn around halfway through the flight and return to Houston because a female passenger became “psychotic,” running through the cabin screaming “we are all protected and loved! This plane is going to land beautifully and kindly!” It’s unclear whether the woman was suffering from mental illness, or whether this was a case of a fear of flying taken to the extreme.
Whether your flight phobia is just a mild uneasiness, or severe enough to make you want to jump out of your seat screaming, we want to help ease your nerves. Read on for our best suggestions to calm your aversion to airplanes so you can enjoy every part of your international travel.
Fear of Flying is Common
Afraid to fly? You’re not alone. In a comprehensive survey conducted by the Boeing Corporation, 17% of Americans reported being afraid to fly. It was the third most common reason for deciding to drive rather than fly, after cost and the need for having a car at the destination.
Severe anxiety about flying is a real medical condition, known as aviophobia. It’s not unusual for people with aviophobia to have other anxiety disorders or phobias about related issues like heights or elevators. Experts estimate that less than 30% of people with a severe fear of flying seek professional treatment for that specific phobia.
Many more of us have a mild fear of flying or experience occasional fear while flying. Even people who fly for a living aren’t immune! In a survey of flight crew on a European airline, more than 9% of them said they felt fear while flying at least once a month.
What About Flying Scares You?
If you’re trying to deal with mild anxiety about airplanes, it will be helpful to take some time and think about exactly what you find scary about the experience.
For some of us, being in the confined space of an airplane cabin can trigger a sense of claustrophobia. Or if you aren’t a fan of crowds, you might feel anxious about being in a small space with so many strangers.
Perhaps you are someone who feels most comfortable in the driver’s seat. You might be nervous simply because you feel out of control as a passenger on a plane.
Are you afraid that the plane will crash? Your fears may be exacerbated by news stories of crashes or scary scenes in movies. The security procedures you go through in the airport may make the tiny threat of terrorism seem more real and likely. And even the most stalwart traveler might get nervous when the plane hits a rough patch of turbulence!
Techniques to Conquer Your Flight Anxiety
If you have severe aviophobia, you don’t have to resign yourself to a life on the ground. Anxiety conditions like flight phobia are treatable! A professional can help you find the best treatment for your fear of flying. Treatment options include hypnosis, anti-anxiety medications, and cognitive behavioral therapy. Talk to your doctor if your fear of flying is strong enough to keep you out of the air.
For most of us, our worries and fears aren’t keeping us at home. But even mild anxieties about flying can make your trip unpleasant! We’ve compiled tips from experts and frequent flyers to help you stay calm while you fly.
If you are a nervous flyer, you will want to review these suggestions from the experts. Don’t let a fear of flying keep you from your travel dreams!
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