Fear of Flying

Aerophobia is the intense and irrational fear of traveling by plane. This fear is often based on the possibility of an accident, despite the fact that, statistically, the risk is much lower than with other modes of transportation. Aerophobia may occur on its own or be aggravated by other phobias, such as claustrophobia (fear of enclosed spaces), agoraphobia (fear of crowds and situations or places from which escape is difficult), or acrophobia (fear of heights).

Aerophobia is a very common condition, with estimates indicating that two out of three people experience fear of flying, and one in five suffers from a phobia.

Symptoms

The primary symptom of aerophobia is anxiety, which can begin even when planning a trip and escalate as the flight date approaches and once on board. This anxiety manifests in various ways:

• Cognitive-behavioral symptoms:
• Catastrophic anticipatory thoughts.
• Intense distress at the idea of boarding a plane or during the flight.
• Accelerated thinking.
• Hypervigilance.
• An overwhelming urge to escape.
• Avoiding flights and seeking alternative transportation.
• Attempting to flee before boarding.
• Constantly asking what is happening or if everything is okay.
• Physiological symptoms:
• Sweating.
• Rapid heartbeat.
• Tremors.
• Dizziness.
• Hyperventilation.
• Shortness of breath.
• Gastrointestinal discomfort, such as pain or vomiting.
• Chest tightness.

Causes

In many cases, fear of flying stems from a traumatic incident experienced on a plane, such as severe turbulence, an emergency landing, or mechanical problems during a flight. Traumatic experiences can lead to chemical dysregulation in the brain due to hyperactivation of the amygdala, which processes fear and anxiety. This hyperactivation generates an excess of cortisol, which inhibits the hippocampus, the brain region responsible for memory storage and retrieval.

As a result, the traumatic event becomes a vivid memory that the individual repeatedly recalls, reliving the same fear as during the original experience.

In other cases, the fear arises from experiences of others or information about real or fictional aviation accidents and disasters. Additionally, aerophobia can be triggered or exacerbated by a lack of knowledge about how airplanes function or the feeling of losing control on board. However, in many instances, individuals cannot identify the root cause of their fear.

Risk Factors

Certain personal traits can increase the risk of developing a fear of flying:

• Personal or family history of anxiety, depression, neurosis, or other phobias.
• Excessively perfectionistic or obsessive personality.
• Rigid thinking patterns.
• Low tolerance for frustration.
• Difficulty adapting to change.

Complications

Fear of flying can be highly limiting if an individual refuses to travel by air, affecting both personal and professional life (e.g., turning down job opportunities that require flying or avoiding trips with family and friends). In severe cases, aerophobia can lead to a panic attack during a flight, causing a complete loss of control and irrational behavior. This, in turn, can generate significant frustration and negatively impact self-esteem.

Prevention

For individuals who must travel by plane despite their aerophobia, several strategies may be helpful:

• Learning about how airplanes work and safety statistics compared to other transportation modes, while avoiding news about accidents.
• Keeping busy during the flight with reading, puzzles, music, or audiovisual content.
• Traveling with a companion when possible.
• Choosing a seat in the roomier sections of the plane to reduce claustrophobia.
• Avoiding window seats.
• Eating a light meal and avoiding alcohol, which can worsen anxiety.
• Practicing relaxation exercises before and during the flight.
• Taking sedatives or sleep medication if necessary (under medical supervision).

What Doctor Treats Fear of Flying?

Fear of flying is evaluated and treated in psychology and psychiatry units, as well as in aerospace medicine consultations.