Types of fear of flying
- Slightly- medium pronounced fear of flyingPeople feel uncomfortable in the aircraft and during the flight. However, the above mentioned symptoms occur only very rarely and/or in a very weakened form.
- Pronounced fear of flyingBefore and during the flight, the affected persons show several of the symptoms mentioned above in addition to the feeling of discomfort. They are also plagued by their fear some time before the flight. The desire to “not go” on the flight can also appear in affected persons. Usually the affected persons travel in the company of close persons.
Causes of a fear of flying
The development of a fear of flying is multifactorial, i.e. it can be explained by a variety of factors. Most affected persons only develop a fear of flying in the course of their lives. This often occurs as a consequence of a formative event that is related to flight/aircraft.
Even people who do not initially suffer from a fear of flying, but who sit tense in an aircraft due to certain circumstances, develop panic-like symptoms in certain situations (e.g. during the flight). For example, light failure, technical problems during the flight, so-called “air holes”, or a sudden unexpected stopover can lead to the development of a fear of flying. Likewise, changed living conditions (birth of a child, divorce, loss of a close person, etc.)
can have an influence on the development of a fear of flying. Furthermore, there are the following possible explanations for the development of a fear of flying: In some, the persons affected by fear of flying, one could find a claustrophobia (fear of closed rooms) or a fear of heights (fear of heights “acrophobia”) in their history. These fears changed their focus and developed into a fear of flying among those affected.
This term represents the difficulty of people to confide in other people who are in a responsible position. In the context of the fear of flying, it is the fear of fully confiding in the pilot’s abilities. Often the persons concerned feel completely “at the mercy” of the situation.
Especially in an airplane, it seems to be very important for the traveler to know exactly what happens during the flight. This information can be very important for people who are generally very anxious. Every person initially approaches the unknown with skepticism and caution.
This also happens in an airplane. If a person enters the airplane and does not know what exactly happens during the flight, he or she is initially cautious, maybe even anxious. The cluelessness of how the plane is held at such a high altitude can develop into a comprehensible fear.
- Changes in anxiety symptoms Some people affected by fear of flying have a history of claustrophobia (fear of enclosed spaces) or a fear of heights (fear of heights “acrophobia”). These fears changed their focus and developed into a fear of flying among those affected.
- “Passenger Syndrome “This term refers to the difficulty of people to confide in other people who are in a responsible position. In the context of fear of flying, it is the fear of fully confiding in the pilot’s abilities.
Often the persons concerned feel completely “at the mercy” of the situation.
- Lack of information/enlightenmentOn the plane in particular, it seems particularly important for the traveler to know exactly what happens during the flight. This information can be very important for people who are generally very anxious. Every person initially approaches the unknown with scepticism and caution.
This also happens in an airplane. If a person enters the airplane and does not know what exactly happens during the flight, he or she is initially cautious, maybe even anxious. The cluelessness of how the plane is held at such a high altitude can develop into a comprehensible fear.
Depending on the extent of the fear of flying, it is advisable to choose a suitable treatment method.
If the fear of flying is more moderate, it is advisable to learn relaxation techniques first (just as with other forms of specific phobia). These can then be applied by the persons concerned in the fear-inducing situations.The techniques learned, such as “Progressive Muscle Relaxation“, are designed to help reduce the symptoms of fear of flying in these situations and at the same time provide relaxation. Anxiety (i.e. tension) and relaxation are opposites.
Accordingly, the learned relaxation (progressive muscle relaxation) is supposed to replace fear in the dreaded situation. Alternatives: Autogenic training, stress management training In case of a pronounced fear of flying, confrontation training is usually applied as part of behavioral therapy. The confrontation with the dreaded situation can take place both mentally and directly in reality.
Within the confrontation training it is possible that the person concerned directly deals with his greatest fear. In this situation, he/she learns that his/her fear is unfounded and that none of the dreaded realities occur. Confrontation therapy has proven to be the most effective treatment method, although it is also very unpleasant for the person concerned at first.
Behavioral therapy is often paid for by health insurance companies, if the severity of the problem is appropriate. Professional help is available to affected persons at special seminars that have specialized on fear of flying. Through direct confrontation (mental and real) the person learns how to handle an aircraft normally again. During the seminar, pilots often explain many details about the aircraft.
