Aerophobia
Aerophobia is an extreme fear of flying, especially using an airplane. They will be very afraid when taking off, landing, or being locked inside the plane.
The exact cause is unknown, but one of the main reasons is a traumatic experience while flying. For example, having survived a plane crash, watching news reports of plane crashes, and military attacks by aircraft can also trigger this phobia.
Research also shows that bad weather, takeoff, and turbulence during flights can trigger anxiety and over time can develop into a phobia.
Symptoms of Aerophobia
People who experience this condition will always avoid flying.
If forced to fly, they may experience panic attacks, such as:
- Chills.
- Dizzy.
- Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis).
- Heart palpitations.
- Nauseous.
- Shortness of breath (dyspnea).
- Trembling or shaking.
- Stomach ache or indigestion (dyspepsia).
Risk Factors for Aerophobia
There are a number of factors that can trigger aerophobia. Most commonly it is caused by a pre-existing phobia, such as:
- Claustrophobia is the fear of flying due to being in a confined space or room.
- Acrophobia or fear of heights.
- Acrophobia (fear of heights).
- Agoraphobia (fear of leaving the house or not being able to escape from a place, or get help if something goes wrong).
- Anthropophobia (fear of people).
- Mysophobia (fear of germs).
Apart from phobias, health problems can also cause aerophobia, such as:
- Sinus or middle ear blockage, which can cause pain or dizziness during the flight.
- A cold, vertigo or ear problems can cause fear as the pressure in the plane can worsen these conditions.
- Cardiovascular diseases that increase the risk of blood clots can be a concern during flights.
Causes of Aerophobia
Until now, the exact cause of aerophobia is unknown. The cause of fear can vary from person to person. It is generally influenced by a series of complex and unique physiological, psychological, and social factors in each person.
Some possible causes of aerophobia are:
- Having a traumatic experience or plane crash. Even watching news stories about airline disasters can trigger a fear of flying in someone.
- Environment. If you have a parent with aerophobia, chances are you have the same fear. This is a very common cause of aerophobia in children, but it also affects adults. You may be afraid of flying because you have other relatives or friends with the same fear. However, the biggest influence usually comes from your parents.
- Other related conditions. Aerophobia may also stem from conflicts that are not actually related to the experience of flying. For example, children who must fly frequently to visit divorced parents sometimes develop aerophobia as a coping mechanism for the trauma of divorce.
Research also shows that triggers such as bad weather, takeoff, and turbulence tend to be triggers for flight-related anxiety.
Diagnosis of Aerophobia
The doctor will review your symptoms and ask about your fears. A diagnosis will be made if the patient has the following signs:
- An irrational fear of thinking about a frightening object or situation, such as airplanes or air travel.
- Feeling afraid for six months or more.
- Looking for ways to avoid the feared object or situation.
- Difficulty functioning at home, at work or in social situations due to excessive fear.
Aerophobia Treatment
Treatment options that can be done are:
1. Cognitive behavioral therapy
This type of therapy focuses on changing the way sufferers think about flying. For example, by learning how planes work or comparing the safety of planes with other forms of travel.
The therapist will teach techniques to manage phobia triggers. For example, by deep breathing or meditation during takeoff, landing, or turbulence to reduce anxiety. Some types of cognitive behavioral therapy that can be undergone are:
- Exposure therapy. The therapist exposes the patient to places, thoughts, or situations associated with air travel. The patient may visit an airport and watch planes arrive and depart. Virtual tools, such as computer flight simulations, can also aid in this therapy process.
- Systematic desensitization. This treatment involves sustained, progressive exposure to the feared object or situation, often used to treat phobias, such as aerophobia.
- Individual therapy. Individual therapy, hypnotherapy, and virtual reality techniques can also improve fear of flying. However, one study found that an internet-based exposure program was effective in treating aerophobia.
2. Self care
In addition to undergoing treatment to overcome phobias, there are also several things you can do yourself to overcome your fear of flying. For example:
- Learn about the process of flying. Learning about how airplanes work, why turbulence happens, and what the different sounds on a plane mean can help make flying a little less scary.
- Identify irrational thoughts. Negative and catastrophic thinking can trigger fears for the best. Learn how to recognize negative thoughts when they arise, then practice replacing them with more realistic and helpful ones.
- Learn to recognize triggers. When you experience anxiety during a flight, pay attention to the thoughts or situations that precede your fear. If you recognize that certain aspects trigger your feelings of anxiety, you can better plan how to deal with those situations when they arise.
- Practice relaxation techniques. Relaxation techniques can be used when you start to experience feelings of fear. Apply techniques such as deep breathing, visualization, and progressive muscle relaxation to things that trigger anxiety. Over time, these techniques can help reduce your fear of flying.
Prevention of Aerophobia
There is no way to prevent aerophobia. But there are some things that can be done to minimize it, such as:
- Avoiding things that can make anxiety worse, such as caffeine, drugs, or alcohol.
- Share fears and anxieties with family members, friends, or peers.
- Talk to your healthcare provider about your condition.
Complications of Aerophobia
Excessive fear can cause sufferers to isolate themselves (social isolation), drastic mood swings, alcohol or drug abuse, and even suicide.
Actually this may be a complication, but people who have aerophobia do not have much experience traveling to interesting places to visit. In addition, aerophobia may limit your mobility or good opportunities. For example, if the company sends you to go to a certain country as a company representative, which may be an additional assessment of your career.