Overview
A phobia is severe worry or panic about certain activities, objects or situations. Fear of flying is common i.e, Aerophobia (also known as aviophobia) is an intense, persistent, and irrational fear of flying or traveling. Aerophobia is most common in people between the ages of 17 and 34. People with aerophobia may be scared about different aspects of flying, such as take-off, landing or getting locked in the plane. It affects roughly 25% to 40% people worldwide, people with aerophobia aren’t afraid of the plane crashing but rather the overwhelming anxiety that comes with being on the plane. The anticipation of flying, or thinking about flying, is often as troubling as being on the flight. Most people with aerophobia respond well to treatment such as psychotherapy.
Causes
Aerophobia usually doesn’t have a specific cause. It’s very rare for aerophobia to stem from a traumatic experience on a flight. Specific triggers might include:
- News stories about terrorism, crashes or violence on airplanes.
- Take-off and landing.
- Thoughts about fire or illness spreading through the plane.
- Turbulence (bumps during the flight).
Symptoms
people with aerophobia have panic attacks before or during a flight.
Symptoms may include:
- Chills.
- Dizziness and lightheadedness.
- Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis).
- Heart palpitations.
- Nausea.
- Shortness of breath (dyspnea).
- Trembling or shaking.
- Upset stomach or indigestion (dyspepsia).
Diagnosis
Aerophobia can range from mild (you’ll fly if you have to, but it makes you anxious) to severe (you’ve refused to fly for more than five years). There isn’t a specific diagnostic test for aerophobia. Your healthcare provider will carefully review your symptoms and ask you a variety of questions about your fear of flying.
our healthcare provider may diagnose you with a specific phobic disorder, such as aerophobia, if you:
- Develop symptoms at the thought of the fearful object or situation, such as airplanes or air travel.
- Experience your fear for six months or longer.
- Go out of your way to avoid the object or situation you fear.
- Have difficulty functioning at home, work or in social situations due to your fear.
Treatment
Many people can work on overcoming their fear of flying with psychotherapy. Your healthcare provider may recommend:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT focuses on helping you change the way you think about flying. It might include learning about how planes work, or reviewing safety statistics for air travel versus other forms of travel. Your therapist can also teach you techniques to manage certain triggers. For example, deep breathing or meditation during take-off, landing or turbulence can reduce your symptoms of anxiety. You can also learn to “talk back” to negative thoughts about flying when they arise.
- Exposure therapy: This type of therapy gradually exposes you to places, thoughts or situations that relate to air travel. You may visit an airport and watch planes arrive and depart. Virtual reality tools, such as computer simulations of flights, can also help you overcome your fear of flying.
- Most people with aerophobia respond well to treatment such as psychotherapy. One study suggests that some people’s symptoms improved for two to three years after CBT. It’s possible for aerophobia to return after treatment, so some people may need ongoing therapy.
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There isn’t a way to prevent aerophobia. But you can reduce its effects on your life by:
- Avoiding things that can make anxiety worse, such as caffeine, drugs or alcohol.
- Sharing your fears and anxieties with a support system of family members, friends or peers.
- Talking to your healthcare provider about your concerns.
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