It’s not uncommon for us to experience discomfort at the thought of flying, especially if you’re the sort of person who doesn’t fly regularly. However, while most people will only experience a mild fear of flying, for some of us, this fear of flying can severely hinder our ability to travel and see the world.

Still, finding ways to overcome a fear of flying is always worth keeping in mind. After all, there are plenty of excellent ways that you can overcome your fear of flying with help and therapy. So, we’re looking at some of the main things you should know as follows to give you an idea of where to start.

Is a Flying Phobia a Real Thing?

Is flying phobia a real condition that needs treatment? Many of us assume that a fear of flying is just something that makes us uncomfortable. But, in reality, a fear of flying is so much more complex than this alone.

When we talk about a flying phobia (aerophobia), we’re usually looking at a severe fear of flying. More than just being an unpleasant feeling, a severe fear of flying can leave us feeling incredibly anxious. In turn, this may cause you to experience numerous symptoms of anxiety. These could include:

• Nervousness or restlessness (often accompanied by trembling)
• Sense of impending doom
• Increased heart rate
• Rapid breathing
• Sweating
• Weakness

All of the above symptoms are common symptoms of anxiety. Unfortunately, for many people, a fear of flying can be a significant anxiety trigger.

If left unaddressed, some people may even find that their anxiety about flying triggers panic attacks and the like. This can be incredibly difficult to live with. As such, facing the problem head-on can be one of the best ways to recover from your fear of flying.

Common Causes of Flying Phobias

There are several common causes of flying phobias that you may have experienced. There’s no single way to find the right flying phobia treatment; everyone is unique in this regard. However, understanding the potential causes of your fear of flying anxiety may help you find the right treatment.

Some common causes of a flying phobia include:

• Scary stories: one of the most common causes of aerophobia is hearing unpleasant news stories. While flying is usually incredibly safe, things can occasionally go wrong. When this ends up on the news, it can be enough to trigger or worsen your aerophobia.
• Turbulence: Turbulence is a common part of flying, but it’s also one of the most unpleasant parts of the journey. Experiencing turbulence during your flight – especially if it’s more significant – can contribute to anxiety and fear regarding flying.
• Bad experiences: In addition to experiencing turbulence, bad past experiences can also cause aerophobia. This is most common with landing and take-offs, which can potentially be a little bumpy.

These are just a few of the most common causes of aerophobia. Still, there are ways to get flying phobia treatment, which often starts with reaching out to a counsellor or therapist for support.

How to Overcome a Fear of Flying

If you want to overcome your fear of flying, there are several things you can do. For one thing, avoiding documentaries and news stories that may trigger your nerves can be helpful. In addition to this, it’s worth reaching out to a friendly professional for fear of flying therapy.

Fear of flying therapy can be a simple way to address your fear of flying. Your therapist will help you understand the causes of your anxiety and help you address these. EMDR therapy can be particularly useful here. After all, a fear of flying shouldn’t have to hold you back – and with the right support, it won’t!

Final Thoughts

If you have been looking for help and support to overcome a fear of flying, there are plenty of possible options you could consider. However, getting flying phobia treatment shouldn’t be something that holds you back. And with this thought in mind, we’ve outlined some of the key things you need to know today.

Remember: a fear of flying doesn’t have to hold you back forever, and with help, you can overcome these challenges! To find out more about fear of flying therapy and how it could work for you, please don’t hesitate to contact me to learn more.

As a fully qualified and certified counsellor, I’d be thrilled to help you find your own happiness and confidence in life – whether that’s with two feet on the ground or soaring high through the clouds!

A story about my own experience

I think it’s quite unnatural for us to be stuck for a while in a metal tin and that metal tin being in the air makes that experience double unnatural. Therefore discomfort can be present and it is absolutely normal.

Previously I personally would feel a bit uncomfortable in the turbulence but in these moments I would think about being so many times in a bus offroad. It has the same sensation of vibration. So sometimes when I feel discomfort during turbulence I would imagine being on that old bus somewhere offroad, which always works.

I have been visiting my homeland recently and I was very lucky to have a long chat with one of the Lufthansa stewardesses. She said she has been working in the air for 25 years.

I asked her what was the scariest or close to some kind of dangerous experience she has been witnessed. I was very surprised to hear ‘’Hmmm…Nothing really!’’

I said to her:  Come on. I am not scared, just very curious.

She promised she couldn’t remember any dangerous experiences within the 25 years of working. Part of me was surprised, but I felt relief at the same time :))