Photo Credit: Ian Muttoo

Aerophobia, or fear of flying can leave those affected by it unable to fly for any reason and it doesn’t matter if it’s a happy occasion such as a vacation or a necessary one like traveling for business. Some people who suffer from this phobia not only find plane travel incapacitating, they also have a fear of fresh air or drafts of air.

One of the usual treatments is to use a short-acting anti-anxiety medication. Another effective treatment uses what is called desensitization techniques. In this method, individuals are gradually introduced to the idea of flying while, at the same time, they learn to use relaxation techniques.

First, the person is taught how to relax and once that is mastered, the next step is to gradually introduce them to the idea of flying in a plane. It’s systematic desensitization in that the idea of plane travel is followed by photos of planes, then there may be a trip to an airport, then to a plane without taking off and, finally, they are taken for a ride in a plane. This may be done in a group or with a therapist on a large plane. The idea is that you can’t be relaxed and anxious at the same time and that once you’ve conquered your fear of flying by actually flying, you are now in control.

Some of the other techniques involved the use of audio or video tapes of flying before any actual flights take place and there may also be a virtual plane ride via computer simulation.

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