Reasons for development of aviophobia decreases
Marisa Roper
With recent plane crashes making the headlines,people’s fear of flying has skyrocketed when there’s
really nothing to fear.
One cause of aviophobia, or aviatophobia,” seeing or hearing of a crash, which is what
psychologists call vicarious learning. This is a trauma that someone will obtain by observation. If they see a crash on television they’ll imagine themselves having that same experience and they’ll become accustomed to the fear of flying.
A person will focus on the possibility rather than the actual probability of the plane
crashing. But aviophobia is like any other fear and can be unlearned or even modified according to ASU psychology professor Michael Palmer.
Palmer said it’s a phobia that is easy to treat by using a form of counter-conditioning called systematic desensitization or graduated exposure. Also, statistics show that the possibility of someone being involved in a crash are slim.
Despite the odds, an estimated 10 to 25 percent of the American population experiences a fear of flying (American Psychological Association) with their fears coming from a variety of places.
Many of the people who have aviophobia suffer from, for example, a panic disorder or a “constellation of other fears.” This could be anything related to flying such as claustrophobia, fear of death or fear of turning over control, which in this case, would be control to the pilot.
Although those are only a few of the things people are afraid of when it comes to flying in big commercial jets, weather, clouds, height, turbulence, crowds, takeoffs, stuffiness, landings, nausea, flying over water, embarrassing oneself, traveling an extended length of time, trust, being far from loved ones, etc., are some others.
Therefore, a good first step for overcoming these fears should begin with solid trust in the aviation industry and the ability of the plane and pilot.
Things that will help to improve a person’s fears are relaxation, meditation and breathing skills.
Other things someone can try are reading a book or, what is not recommended by most professionals, having a drink to relax.
“Yes, alcohol and tranquilizers will give a temporary effect, but it’s not a long term solution,” Palmer said.
For people suffering from aviophobia, there are many “self-help” websites like www.anxieties.com or www.fearofflying.com where the company SOAR specializes in overcoming the fear of flying.
