How to Overcome a Fear of Flying

Studies have found that millions of people have a fear of flying, despite the enormous odds against a mishap. There are several ways to conquer your fears and make air travel more endurable.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Yellow Pages
• Headphones
• Stress Relief Products
• Portable CD Players
• Relaxation Tapes
• Telephones
• Therapists

1. Accept that it is unlikely you can conquer your fear of flying without help.

2. Get counseling or join a group. Since fear of flying is such a common phobia, many excellent clinics are available to help you. Look in the yellow pages under 'Clinics,' 'Mental Health Services' or 'Psychologists.'

3. Read a book. Countless books are devoted to overcoming the fear of flying. Most include instructions on special breathing and relaxation methods and other helpful techniques.

4. Buy a tape. Some fear-of-flying programs are on tape so you can listen to instructions for relaxation and breathing.

5. Have confidence that you can succeed. Even the most serious fears about flying can be conquered with proper treatment and hard work.

6. Ask your physician for a prescription drug to relax you when you must fly, if all else fails. Keep in mind, however, that most professionals believe you can conquer this fear without medication.

Tips & Warnings

• Symptoms often associated with fear of flying include anxiety attacks, heart palpitations, dizziness, a feeling of suffocation, sweating, nausea and shaking. These are symptoms of anxiety and are not medically dangerous.
• Avoid using alcohol as a way to relax yourself, as it may impair sleep and cause dehydration. Never drink alcohol if you are also taking tranquilizers or other prescription drugs.

[capttombunn]

on 6/29/2009 Ordinary counseling will not help. Only a handful of therapists have the expertise to effectively deal with flight anxiety.

Though books and tapes offer breathing exercises, according to research, that does not work for flight anxiety. Learning how flying works can help.

Say no to drugs. Research shows drugs make flight anxiety worse by increasing panic attacks tenfold.

Several articles on effective help are available at http://www.fearofflying.com/wordpress

[dchewus]

on 3/21/2009 Read http://www.fearofstuff.com/travel/the-fear-of-flying/ for more information on the fear of flying - maybe that can help you, since it did help me get more educated about my fear.

[jp3fn]

on 9/20/2008 Fear of flying can be cured in as little 18 minutes with the easy to follow steps of GoGetter JetSetter. Overcome your fear of flying and become a calm, confident, and in-control flyer.

Check out: http://www.gogetterjetsetter.com

[CaptainStacey]

on 8/18/2008 http://www.fearofflyinghelp.com/ is a completely free online course to help overcome the fear of flying. It's fast, free and confidential.

[Scaredofflying]

on 10/23/2007 Well, I have an 8 o'clock flight in the morning and have never flown in my life. And, I'm terrified :(
Im going on Business and it is neccessary to fly to my destination.Everything come to mind when i think of myself on a plane, from terrorist to mechanical problems. Im going with 2 of my coworkers who've both flown before and love it! What should I do? advice?