- Flight anxiety is more common that you may think, but aviophobia (fear of flying) is manageable and treatable.
- Causes of flight anxiety include fear of crashing, claustrophobia, generalized underlying anxiety and previous negative flying experiences.
- Manifestations of flight anxiety include general anxiousness, physical symptoms such as sweating, hyperventilating and panic attacks.
- Therapies include exposure therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy and medication in some cases.
Flight anxiety, also referred to as aviophobia, is an anxiety condition that presents as an overall fear of flying. Specific fears pertaining to aviophobia range from anxiety over plane crashes to claustrophobia when the plane doors close and the flight takes off.
If you suffer from aviophobia, you know firsthand how it can impact your life. Whether you spend your flights in a constant state of worry or actually can’t step foot on a plane, a fear of flying can prevent you from visiting much of the world. The good news is that aviophobia can be managed and even treated. This guide aims to explain what aviophobia is, describe some of its triggers and offer tips to make flying easier, or even just possible, for you.
A Common Affliction
Flight anxiety is highly common, with statistics showing that approximately 2.5 to 40% of fliers experience some form of aviophobia each year. Anxiety levels in those who struggle with aviophobia range from mild to severe. While flight anxiety is a very real anxiety disorder in which many sufferers feel there is no hope to overcome their fears, the good news is that even the most severe cases of aviophobia are often manageable and treatable.
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