What To Do When Flying Gives You Anxiety
The fear of flying—-also known as aviophobia or aerophobia—is when your anxiety about flying becomes so intense that you experience great distress before and/or during flight.
Some people may still fly, but experience much dread about the flight, panic attacks, and tension. Some will avoid flying all together.
But flying doesn’t have to be this way. There is help available for you. Check out our favorite tips and resources below to help you to be able to fly with confidence.
How Much Does it Cost You to Avoid Flying?
Avoiding flying can have great costs on your quality of life. You may save yourself discomfort but what about the other impacts does this have on your life?
Maybe you miss out on seeing your family and friends who live out of state.
If you travel for work, your career could be on the line.
You don’t pursue your passion of experiencing new parts of the world.
These costs add up over time, but it doesn’t have to be this way.
What if you could have the confidence to handle your fears? I know it may not seem possible, but it is. (And I’m living proof of it. I’ve struggled with flying anxiety for years, but I don’t let it stop me anymore).
Reasons People Are Afraid of Flying
Most people think that people with anxiety about flying are afraid the plane will crash. But in fact, there are a number of other reasons that people dread flying.
Fear of losing control (having a panic attack or such strong anxiety that you do something embarrassing)
Fear of being in a closed space (claustrophobia)
Fear of heights
Fear of getting sick from others
Fears of terrorism
Where does the fear of flying come from?
There are a number of reasons that people become fearful of flying. Understanding the reason behind your fear will not “cure” your anxiety about flying, but it can help you to understand where to focus your treatment and strategies to overcome your fear of flying.
Bad experience while flying such as flying through terrible turbulence
Reaction to scary situations seen in the media about a tragedy while flying
No specific bad experience while in-flight, but increasing anticipatory anxiety over time
Pre-existing anxiety disorder that include fears of getting sick, losing control, or having a panic attack
How We Can Help
Our Therapists at State of Mind Therapy offer a courses where we teach people about their fears of flying and how to discover the strategies that are making the fear larger and how to rebuild their toolkit so they can reduce their fear in the long-run.
This course is uniquely led by a husband and wife team, built with personal and professional experience with flying and anxiety, so you can feel at ease knowing they will provide you with the compassion and knowledge you need to start traveling again.
Justin Matthews, LGSW is a licensed graduate social worker and former pilot who served in the Air National Guard. His experience in the airline industry + expertise in treating anxiety disorders will not only help you learn effective skills for managing anxiety, but trust in the airline industry as well.
Jenny Matthews, LMFT, LADC is a therapist that specializes in treating anxiety disorders. She has been an anxious flyer for years. But now doesn’t let fear stop her from traveling.