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Aviophobia, or the fear of flying, is a specific form of aerophobia. Symptoms include physical and emotional distress, and treatment often involves counseling and medication. Recovery takes time and depends on the severity and root causes of the condition.
Sometimes referred to as aviatophobia, aviophobia is the fear of flying, usually associated with flying in any type of airplane or jet. The incidence of this phobia is a specialized form of aerophobia, as it focuses on the act of flying while aerophobia is a broader condition having to do with the fear of leaving the ground and being suspended in mid-air . Many people diagnosed with aerophobia actually suffer from the more specific condition of aerophobia.
As with many different types of phobias, aviophobia is manifested by a range of physical and emotional symptoms. Faced with the idea of boarding a plane and going on a trip, the aviophobic is likely to break out in a cold sweat, feel dizzy and experience heart palpitations. In extreme cases, symptoms of aviophobia can include an episode of regurgitation, loss of bowel control, and loss of consciousness. A strong sense of shame and failure is often present in people suffering from this type of phobia.
Caregiver phobias can coalesce to create this condition of aviophobia. For example, acrophobia (fear of heights) can merge with claustrophobia (fear of being in a small enclosed area) to form an extreme fear of being trapped within the confines of an aircraft seating area and not being unable to leave space because the plane is airborne. It is for this reason that aviophobia treatment strategies often break down components of the condition and attempt to defuse each of them as part of the healing process.
Professional counseling is often an important part of the recovery process for aviophobics. Due to the extreme physical and emotional distress experienced, it is not uncommon for medications to be used to help people overcome their fears. A sedative or anti-anxiety drug may allow the aviophobic to board a plane and go on a short trip. When the journey goes without incident, the phobic begins to accumulate real-time experiences in which his worst fears do not come true. When coupled with ongoing therapy, these experiences help the individual begin to reprogram their thinking and cause the phobia to lose its grip on the patient.
As with many phobias, aviophobia rarely develops overnight and will take time to conquer. Factors such as the severity of symptoms displayed by the individual and the root causes of the development of the condition will both play a role in the rate of recovery. However, when the individual longs to be actively engaged in overcoming the phobia, the chances of a successful recovery are excellent. In the meantime, loved ones should consult with healthcare professionals about what they can do to offer loving support without allowing the patient to give in to aviophobia.
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