Are you also afraid of flying? (Aerophobia) Let's talk about it!

Do you sometimes feel like flying is a challenge? Do you ever get nervous, sweaty, or feel like you're about to get on a plane? Or do you get nervous even when you hear a little noise during a flight? You're not alone, many people have experienced this. This is what we call the extreme fear of flying , or (Aerophobia) . Some people also call it (Aviophobia) .

What exactly is Aerophobia?

Simply put, Aerophobia is an extreme, irrational fear of flying. This fear can come in many forms. Some people are afraid of take-off, others of landing, and still others of feeling trapped inside the plane. You probably know that this fear is probably irrational . Because, statistically speaking, flying is the safest form of transportation compared to other forms of transportation. But when you have this fear in your mind, it can be hard to accept that logic, right?

Often, people with aerophobia are not actually afraid of the plane crashing. Rather, they are afraid of the unbearable anxiety they feel while on the plane. The thought of flying can sometimes be as stressful as actually flying.

Important: A phobia is an excessive, uncontrollable fear or anxiety about a certain activity, object, or situation. This is also a type of Anxiety Disorder, which is a mental condition related to anxiety.

How common is this condition (aerophobia)?

Fear of flying is actually more common than you might think. According to surveys, about 25 million adults in the United States alone suffer from this condition. So, you can imagine how many people in Sri Lanka have this fear as well.

Who is more at risk of developing aerophobia?

Aerophobia is most common among people between the ages of 17 and 34. This is when many important changes in life occur. For example, getting a degree, getting married, having a child, etc. So, some people may be afraid that flying at such an important time will endanger their lives. Also, some people may have flown without any fear for years and later develop this condition.

What are the causes of this (Aerophobia)?

It is often difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of aerophobia. It is very rare for this fear to arise from a bad experience on a flight. However, certain things can aggravate this fear. These include:

• Seeing terrorist attacks , plane crashes , or hearing about violent incidents on airplanes on the news.
• The strange feeling you get when the plane takes off and lands .
• The thought of a fire or an illness on the plane.
• Turbulence during flight, that is, the fear you feel when you move a little.

Can other phobias (aerophobia) be exacerbated by conditions?

Yes, absolutely. If you have other phobias, that can also increase your fear of flying. Here are a few examples:

• (Acrophobia): Fear of heights.
• (Agoraphobia): Fear of being unable to leave the house or escape from a place, or of not being able to get help if needed.
• (Anthropophobia): Fear of people.
• Claustrophobia: Fear of crowded, confined, small spaces.
• Mysophobia: Excessive fear of germs (germaphobia).

Imagine, if someone has claustrophobia, their aerophobia also increases when they feel like they're stuck on an airplane, right?

What are the symptoms of Aerophobia?

If you have aerophobia, you will try to avoid flying as much as possible. This may mean that you will avoid family outings or even work-related trips. You may also prefer to travel by car, bus, or train, even though they are more difficult to get around by plane. People with aerophobia may also avoid movies, books, and even news about flying. Or, some may become overly concerned about security measures at airports and on planes.

People with aerophobia may experience panic attacks before or during a flight. Symptoms may include:

• Feeling like your body is getting cold .
• Dizziness and lightheadedness .
• Excessive sweating ((Hyperhidrosis)).
• Heart palpitations .
• Nausea .
• Difficulty breathing ((Dyspnea)).
• Shaking or trembling.
• Stomach upset or indigestion ((Dyspepsia)).

If you experience one or more of these symptoms when thinking about or going on a flight, you may have aerophobia.

How is this condition (Aerophobia) diagnosed?

There is no specific test to diagnose aerophobia. Your doctor will take a detailed look at your symptoms and ask you questions about your fear of flying. Aerophobia can range from mild (you're afraid to fly) to severe (you've been avoiding flying for more than five years) .

A doctor may diagnose you with a specific phobia like aerophobia if:

• If symptoms occur just thinking about a feared object or situation, such as airplanes or air travel.
• If this fear has been present for six months or more .
• If you make a special effort to avoid the feared object or situation.
• If this fear interferes with your household chores, work, or social relationships .

How to treat this condition (Aerophobia)? How to overcome the fear of flying?

Many people can get help with their fear of flying through psychotherapy. Your doctor may recommend treatments such as:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This is called cognitive behavioral therapy . It mainly helps you change the way you think about flying. You may be taught about how airplanes work and the safety statistics of flying compared to other modes of transportation. Your therapist may also teach you ways to manage certain triggers. For example, deep breathing and meditation during takeoff, landing, or turbulence can help reduce your anxiety. You may also learn to "talk back" to negative thoughts about flying, which is to challenge those thoughts.

• Exposure Therapy: This is called exposure therapy . This treatment involves gradually exposing yourself to places, thoughts, or situations associated with flying. You might be asked to go to an airport and watch planes come and go. Or, you might use virtual reality (VR) technology, which is computer simulations of flights, to help you overcome your fear.

This psychotherapy can be done one-on-one with a therapist or in a group setting . Some countries have group therapy programs at airports, which even include a "graduation flight" at the end.

Medications are not very effective in the long term management of aerophobia or other specific phobias. However, if you absolutely must fly and are afraid of having a panic attack, your doctor may prescribe anti-anxiety drugs to take only when needed.

Is there a way to prevent aerophobia?

There is no specific way to prevent aerophobia. However, there are some things you can do to reduce the impact this fear has on your life:

• Avoiding things that can increase anxiety, such as caffeine , drugs , or alcohol .
• Talking about your fears and anxiety with your family, friends, or peers (support system).
• Talking to a doctor about your problem.

What is the future for those with aerophobia? (Prognosis)

Many people with aerophobia respond well to treatments such as psychotherapy. One study found that some people's symptoms improved for up to two to three years after CBT. However, aerophobia can recur after treatment, so some people may need ongoing treatment.

Remember, this is something you can get out of. Don't give up!

When should I see a doctor about this?

If you experience any of these things, see a doctor immediately:

• If your fear of flying makes it difficult to carry out your daily activities .
• If you are experiencing symptoms of a panic attack .

What questions should I ask my doctor?

You may want to ask your doctor questions like these:

• Can I get medication to help me fly without panicking?
• Do I need psychotherapy? If so, for how long?
• Where can I get help for aerophobia?
• Will I ever be able to overcome this fear of flying?

Aerophobia is an extreme fear of flying. People with this condition may experience severe anxiety before or during a flight. This can interfere with your work or leisure activities. If aerophobia is affecting your quality of life, talk to a doctor. With psychotherapy, many people can overcome their fear of flying.

Take-Home Message: Things to Remember

Okay, so let's summarize some of the things we've talked about that we think are important to you.

• Aerophobia is an extreme, abnormal fear of flying. This is not as uncommon as you might think, and many people have it.
• There may be no specific cause for this fear, but certain news, experiences, or other phobic situations can increase it.
• Symptoms may include anxiety, heart palpitations, sweating, and difficulty breathing . Panic attacks may occur.
• This can be successfully treated with psychotherapy methods called Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Exposure Therapy .
• If this fear is interfering with your life, it is very important to see a doctor for advice .

Don't forget: you're not alone. You can get help to overcome this fear. With the right support and treatment, you too can travel the world without fear!

` Aerophobia, fear of flying, phobia, anxiety, mental health, psychiatry, fear of flying