While traveling by plane is one of the quickest and most efficient ways to travel long distances, not everyone is comfortable and enjoys traveling by plane. One of the reasons people dislike traveling by plane is the fear of heights.
What is Aerophobia?
Aerophobia is an extreme fear of flying by airplane. It is rare for people with aerophobia to have traumatic past experiences related to boarding an airplane. Individuals with aerophobia may experience fear of various aspects of flying, such as being trapped in an airplane.
Aerophobia may be experienced by people between the ages of 17 and 34. Thoughts and worries related to flying in an airplane can give the individual overwhelming anxiety that causes problems for the sufferer. Below are some of the things that can trigger the fear of flying, including:
- News about terrorists hijacking airplanes
- News about plane crashes
- Turbulence during flight
- The existence of fires that may occur when boarding an airplane
- A tense takeoff and landing process
Read more: Kenali Tanda Fisik dan Emosional bila Mengalami Klaustrofobia (Claustrophobia)
Symptoms of Aerophobia
Fear of flying is categorized as an anxiety disorder that can be characterized by several symptoms, including:
- Nervous or feeling chilly
- Dizziness and lightheadedness
- Excessive sweating
- Heart palpitations
- Nausea
- Shortness of breath
- Trembling
- Abdominal pain or indigestion
It is not uncommon for the symptoms of aerophobia to also be accompanied by panic attacks characterized by several symptoms including:
- Increased awareness of hazards and physical symptoms
- Anxiety and irrational thinking
- A strong fear of danger looming
- Fear of losing control or dying
- Trembling in the arms and hands
- Flushed, red face
- Rapid heartbeat
- Breathlessness
- Indigestion
- Muscle tension/strain
- Feelings of detachment from reality or unreality
How to Overcome the Fear of Flying
Fear of flying on an airplane is usually treated with psychotherapy. These therapy sessions can last anywhere from a few sessions to months or years, depending on your condition and needs. The therapy you undergo will help change your mindset and behavior regarding your fear of flying. The rest of the time, you will be recommended to undergo relaxation and possibly hypnotherapy.
Additionally, experts recommend several steps to overcome your fears. These steps are as follows:
- Recognizing anxiety triggers that cause you to fear boarding an airplane
- Learn flight-related facts to help reduce your fears and thoughts
- Realizing that the anxiety that has been experienced is things that have not yet happened or are not happening
- Realizing that anxiety and danger are two different things, as the body gives similar reactions to these two things
- Fight anxiety by managing it using the flight-related facts you've learned
- Understand that the aircraft is designed to handle turbulence and that the pilots controlling the aircraft are equipped to handle any turbulence that occurs.
- Explaining to the flight attendants the anxiety you are experiencing so they can help calm you down
- Overcoming panics attacks with deep breathing techniques
Most people who experience aerophobia manage to overcome their fear after undergoing psychotherapy. However, it is not impossible that these fears could resurface in the future. If you experience recurrent panic attacks or airplane anxiety, seek the help of a doctor or psychiatrist immediately.
If you need medical advice or consultation, you can either visit a doctor or make use of the consultation features that are available in the Ai Care application by downloading the Ai Care application from the App Store or Play Store.
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- dr Hanifa Rahma
Anxiety & Depression Association of America. 8 Steps to Overcoming Your Fear of Flying. Available from: https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/specific-phobias/treatment/8-Steps-to-Overcoming-Your-Fear-of-Flying
Becky Harlan and Mansee Khurana (2022). 6 tips to help you overcome your fear of flying. Available from: https://www.npr.org/2022/06/09/1103923813/get-over-a-fear-of-flying-exposure-therapy
Cleveland Clinic (2022). Aerophobia (Fear of Flying). Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22431-aerophobia-fear-of-flying
Better Health. Panic attack. Available from: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/panic-attack#symptoms-of-a-panic-attack
NHS Inform (2023). How to deal with panic attacks. Available from: https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/mental-wellbeing/anxiety-and-panic/how-to-deal-with-panic-attacks/
