What's more, the body resists in every possible way to being high above the ground, which is unusual for it. Physiologically, this condition is expressed by nausea, earache or headache. Moral discomfort is manifested in the fear of flying on an airplane. This is a normal activation of the body's protective function. But there are situations when people have a panic fear of flying.
What is aerophobia?
The instinct of self-preservation is evolutionarily important for every person. Emotionally, it is expressed in fear of real danger or something previously unknown. It is normal to feel a sense of discomfort and anxiety before the first flight on an airplane or to be afraid when the airliner enters a zone of turbulence. Another thing is the overwhelming fear of the upcoming flight. Aerophobia is an uncontrolled (irrational) fear of flying on an airplane. Psychology considers such a disorder to be common in people over the age of 25 (it is unknown to young children).
Aerophobia is based on an obsessive fear of death. Aerophobes are afraid of a plane crash and their own powerlessness to control this imaginary situation. Moreover, in the case of flights, this horror is completely unfounded. Various statistics authoritatively state that the plane is the safest form of transport. The probability of death in a car accident is thousands of times higher than during an air flight. In some cases, aerophobia is combined with fear of heights (acrophobia) and closed spaces (claustrophobia).
Signs of aerophobia
The symptoms of aerophobia can be divided into two periods:
- Pre-flight (initial) – a few days before the upcoming flight, a person develops a nervous state, which can be expressed in two extremes: aggressiveness and irritability or withdrawal and depression; he obsessively searches the media for information about plane crashes; before departure, an aerophobe can refuse the planned trip and not get on the plane;
- During the flight - even before takeoff, a person begins to have breathing problems; heart rate increases; muscle spasms may occur; sweating, tremors appear; dysfunctions in the work of the gastrointestinal tract; the passenger begins to constantly analyze the actions of the crew, to imagine a catastrophe - the slightest mechanical noise, a roll of the plane or an air hole can trigger a panic attack.
Psychologists believe that some cases of inappropriate behavior of passengers on board an aircraft (for example, fights with passengers or flight attendants) are provoked by aerophobia. Signs of a condition when an aerophobe simply does not hear the "voice of reason" are most pronounced during takeoff, landing, and falling into a turbulent flow.
Professional treatment of aerophobia
The problem of aerophobia significantly disrupts the level of a person's comfortable existence. This disorder can cause significant damage to his health, both physical and mental. There is only one way out - you need to overcome aerophobia. Treatment of pathological fear of flying on an airplane includes a set of measures:
- Acceptance of medical preparations;
- Corrective psychotherapy;
- Independent overcoming of symptoms.
Pills for aerophobia
Modern medicine in the treatment of aerophobia (tablets) offers many sedative drugs that also have a sedative effect. Before buying and using them, you must consult a doctor. Each person is individual. Valerian or motherwort will help someone cope with emotions. For others, drugs of complex action are necessary. If, in addition to aerophobia, there are problems with the vestibular apparatus, then before the flight it is necessary to take pills that block the motion sickness process. The spectrum is wide - from the long-known "aeron" to the latest antihistamine drugs. In order to avoid negative side effects and serious complications in case of overdose, a doctor's consultation is mandatory before choosing the means.
Psychological help with aerophobia
The solution to any problem is to eliminate the cause of its appearance. Aerophobia is also not a defect. A professional qualified psychologist will find the main source of irrational fear and with the help of specially developed methods (hypnosis, exposure technique, cognitive-behavioral therapy, etc.) will help the patient get rid of it in a few short sessions.
How to overcome the fear of flying on your own?
It is necessary to remember that aerophobia is not a sentence. There are several techniques that help to cope with it. Algorithm for overcoming fear:
- You must not be late for registration - this situation contributes to the development of the so-called "preventive anxiety";
- Choosing a comfortable seat in the airplane cabin is usually a seat in the aisle (so as not to look into the porthole), closer to the nose of the airliner, where there is practically no turbulence and a much lower noise level;
- When panic approaches, work with your breathing - exhale as deeply as possible; exhalation itself, because then you will be forced to inhale deeply and more calmly; concentration on breathing perfectly relaxes;
- Drink water - coffee increases the heartbeat, and alcohol can lead to the exact opposite of the expected effect;
- In advance think of something to occupy yourself during the flight - a conversation with a neighbor; fascinating book; listening to your favorite music previously downloaded to the phone; restful sleep (it is necessary to prepare an eye mask, earplugs or take a sedative pill).
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