Fear of Flying: Understanding and Overcoming Aviation Anxiety

However, there are many people who cannot take advantage of this important advance because of the intense fear that flying causes them, missing many work, social or leisure opportunities. But others, despite the intense fear they experience, have no choice but to face it due to the demand for a certain job or because they have relatives in other countries.

• Fear usually appears when a flight experience is anticipated and dramatic situations or negative experiences are imagined about it.
• It can be useful to perform abdominal breathing or relaxation exercises, trained before and with which a positive effect has been experienced.
• If intense anxiety, panic attacks or claustrophobia occurs during the flight, it is advisable to turn to a psychologist to address it.

Why is the fear of flying present?

A person who experiences fear of flying may feel it in a more specific way in situations such as: the possibility of suffering an attack or a plane crash, experiencing a panic attack or losing control when they are on the plane, moving away from a safe place such as their own home or the city, staying locked inside a plane or suffering a medical problem during the flight among many other situations. Likewise, the heights to which the plane is raised, instability, noise and turbulence are other factors that directly affect the feeling of fear.

How does the fear of flights manifest?

This usually manifests itself in many ways, but mainly it appears already when a flight experience is anticipated. A person with a fear of flying will try to postpone or avoid the trip and will tend to imagine dramatic situations and negative experiences about it, which will lead to restlessness, anxiety, panic or irritability during the previous days, weeks or even months.

During the flight, he will be hyper-vigilant and very aware of any noise or signal on the plane, as well as the facial expressions and movements of the crew. During this time, symptoms of such as palpitations, dizziness, tremors, feeling short of breath, tension and digestive discomfort, as well as an irrepressible desire to escape. For this reason, on some occasions, people with this problem try to compensate or protect themselves from this fear by taking tranquilizers or consuming alcohol during the flight, trying to distract themselves, requesting the seat closest to the aisle or closest to the emergency exit or, even, continually requesting the crew's attention.

Tips to know how to overcome the fear of flying

For all these reasons, it is important that a person who experiences fear of flying take into account the following guidelines:

• It is logical and coherent to feel a certain fear and respect for an activity that by nature is not typical of man; that is, the human being is not programmed to fly, as are, for example, birds.
• It can also happen that the person remembers some previous news about an attack or a plane crash and feels vulnerable and fragile, with fear of suffering a similar experience due to being in the same context.
• A large part of the fear is due to ignorance about the operation and technology used to manufacture the aircraft, as well as the possible impact of atmospheric conditions on it. In this way, a person can be frightened by certain noises, movements or slight shaking, which on the other hand are usually normal and habitual. In this sense, it is important to remember that the technology used to manufacture an aircraft is designed to safeguard safety and is equipped with resources for any extreme case: float, oxygen masks, etc.
• Another difficulty present in people with fear of flying is usually the lack of control over the vehicle and, therefore, the need to trust the professionalism and preparation of the pilot in charge of the flight. In this sense, it can be useful to become aware of the great preparation and experience required of the flight personnel and of their obligation to ensure safety inside the plane.
• It should be taken into account that currently the plane is the safest means of transport. Statistics show the difficulty of an accident, since, for example, the airspace is less congested than the roads.
• It is important not to consume stimulant drinks, such as coffee or alcohol, before or during the flight.
• It is advisable to prepare the trip and luggage in advance to avoid last minute stress, as well as to make the first flights accompanied by someone you trust.
• If when you enter the plane you feel fear, it may be useful to express or share the feeling experienced with another person or communicate it to the crew personnel so that they can collaborate in the well-being, and report or contrast the doubts or perceptions experienced.
• It can be useful to put into practice certain exercises for relaxation or abdominal breathing, trained previously and once the positive effect of them has been experienced.
• It may also be appropriate to distract yourself with an interesting conversation with other passengers, to engage in hobbies that require some attention and concentration, or to read or listen to music.

The fear of flying is a surmountable difficulty and if intense symptoms of anxiety, panic attacks or claustrophobia are experienced in the context of flights, it is advisable to seek the help of a psychology professional to address it.