Scared or Fearful of Flying
Believe it or not, this is a common experience for some people. Perhaps you have had intense thoughts of getting on a plane, as a result of feeling anxious and experiencing nauseous feeling, increased heart rate, or rapid breathing. For some, taking the edge of this experience involves drinking or using strong sedatives; with the hope of ensuring a long sleep for most of the flight.
Some common causes of fear of flying
Fear of Heights (Acrophobia): A general fear of heights may carry over to the experience of being in the air.
General Anxiety or Phobias: Broader anxiety disorders, including social anxiety or obsessive-compulsive tendencies, may manifest as a fear of flying.
Traumatic Experiences: Previous bad experiences with flying, such as a turbulent flight or emergency landing, can lead to lasting fears.
Turbulence: Sensitivity to the bumps and shakes during a flight can create or exacerbate anxiety.
Fear of Crashes: Concerns about the safety of air travel or catastrophic events, often fueled by media coverage of accidents.
Lack of Control: Anxiety arises from being unable to influence the flight's course, entrusting safety to the pilots and crew.
Claustrophobia: The confined space of an airplane cabin can trigger feelings of suffocation or entrapment
How can hypnotherapy help?
Many people have found hypnotherapy as an effective therapy tool to help them through a relaxing and calm flight. Hypnotherapy allows for a deep state of relaxation To source the fears in your subconscious mind. Additionally, Hypnosis can then help you learn to set up new patterns of behaving and responding so you can reprogram your mind so you start to enjoy flying and are no longer anxious.
One article, The Use of Hypnosis for Airplane Phobia With an Obsessive Character: A Case Study" by Erin G. Volpe and Michael R Nash, examines how hypnotherapy treatment supported a middle-aged woman. They found how hypnosis was effectively used as a therapeutic tool to address both the phobia and underlying anxiety.
Take away tips!
- Drink lots of water before and during the flight to avoid dehydration. Please avoid caffeine and coffee as this may increase feeling anxious
- Have printouts/images of your end destination – beach? Luxury hotel? This will help you remain focused if your thoughts wander
- Try deep breathing or have a favorite podcast at hand
Patients have found that if they engage in several hypnotherapy sessions then this would allow them to have the confidence and remain calmer to fly.
Journal Article: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1534650112440167?icid=int.sj-abstract.similar-articles.4