What is phobia of flying? Types and treatment methods
#1. Mr. Jeong (34), who lives in Daejeon, is more worried than excited ahead of his family trip in December. This is because the fear of boarding a plane increased after encountering extreme turbulence on a plane heading to Southeast Asia in the past. At that time, the plane shook violently and even took a dive. After that, I took two more plane rides, but my fear of flying got worse. I was prescribed a tranquilizer at the hospital and took it, but it didn’t help. Even if the aircraft shook even slightly, the only thought in my mind was, ‘What if the plane crashes?’ Mr. Jeong said, “I know the probability of an airplane accident is extremely low, but if it happens to me, it’s 100% right.” He added, “As the trip approaches, the only thing I worry about is getting on the plane.”
#2. Mr. Kim (43), who suffers from panic disorder, recently boarded a plane to visit overseas for work and his anxiety symptoms appeared more severe than usual. As soon as I entered the plane, I felt frustrated, and the anxiety symptoms that started did not stop. Even before the plane took off, my heart was pounding like it was going to burst, and I couldn’t breathe properly. All I could think about was wanting to get off the plane right away. He said he was afraid that he might collapse due to the feeling of losing his mind. Mr. Kim said, “Fortunately, the flight time was not long, so I managed to get through it by controlling my mind. However, the fact that I have another overseas business trip scheduled in three weeks is very painful.”
‘Aircraft = excitement’. According to a recent announcement by the Korea Tourism Organization, travelers appear to be excited about air travel. This is the result of an analysis based on 7.17 million data that mentioned transportation and travel-related keywords simultaneously on social media. However, this excitement comes as a huge fear to those who suffer from ‘fear of flying.’ Even if they want to go on a trip, they hesitate, or they book a flight but cancel it before departure. Even those who boarded the plane with a strong mind were anxious throughout the flight. You experience discomfort from the starting point of your trip, the plane.
Flight phobia is a type of anxiety disorder in which a person feels anxious and afraid before boarding or boarding an airplane. Anxiety increases, and symptoms such as difficulty breathing, dizziness, and vomiting appear. In severe cases, it may cause a heart attack. There are some passengers who board a plane and ask to be deboarded just before takeoff. Although there are no exact figures in Korea, it is estimated that about 10% of adults suffer from a fear of flying. It is said that 25 million people in the United States suffer from a fear of flying. It is because of this disease that North Korean National Defense Chairman Kim Jong-il insisted on using trains when visiting China and Russia. Actress Shin Hye-sun, broadcaster Park Na-rae, and singer Brian also confessed to a fear of flying.
Airplanes are safer than cars… Why am I so anxious?
Fear of flying is medically divided into two types. It is a type of simple flying phobia (situational specific phobia) that concerns about airplane safety, and a type that is intertwined with anxiety disorders such as claustrophobia or panic disorder. Of the two cases mentioned above, Mr. Jeong’s case falls under ‘simple fear of flying’. It is also the most common type of fear of flying. People with anxiety disorder, such as Mr. Kim, have the characteristic of rapidly increasing anxiety levels as they focus all their attention on their physical symptoms, such as shortness of breath, rather than worrying about airplane safety.
Statistically, the probability of an airplane accident, as well as death from it, is extremely low. According to a safety report from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the number of accidents per million commercial aircraft takeoffs worldwide decreased from 2.05 in 2022 to 1.87 last year. The probability of dying in an aircraft accident also decreased from 50 per billion people in 2022 to 17 per billion last year. However, people with a simple fear of flying worry that the plane will crash. Lee Sang-min, a psychiatrist and director of the Gangnam Yonsei Phil Clinic who runs the Flight Phobia Research Institute, explained, “Even though airplanes are much safer than cars, I feel anxious that the pilot, not me, has control (of accidents).”
Patients with phobia of flying often cite ‘experience of more severe turbulence than usual’ as the decisive reason for their symptoms. Even people who are good at flying can develop a fear of flying ‘without warning.’ In the past 10 years, the proportion of turbulence accidents among global aviation accidents was 53%, but over the past 3 years, it has increased to 61%. This is because turbulence has increased rapidly due to climate change. However, it is very unlikely that turbulence will directly cause a passenger to die or the plane to crash. In May of this year, a Singapore flight encountered turbulence and the cabin was thrown into chaos. One person died during this process, but the direct cause of death was a heart attack. The aircraft that nosedived made an emergency landing without any major accident.
Airline officials also said there was no need to worry too much about aircraft accidents. Mr. Kim (37), a current airline captain, said, “The chances of a plane crashing due to turbulence are very slim,” adding, “Rather than the plane itself being dangerous, most of the cases are dangerous because people do not fasten their belts when the aircraft shakes violently.” If you are a person with a fear of flying, why are you overcome with fear even though it is a story you would have heard so many times? Director Lee said, “Cars also shake violently when driving on unpaved roads, but I don’t worry because I can see the ground supporting the car. However, the wings of an airplane receive lift to lift it into the air, but we cannot see this force, which is why we feel anxious.”
How to reduce anxiety on a plane… Methods vary depending on the type
Fear of flying is definitely a ‘disease’. Director Lee said, “Discomfort and discomfort caused by airplane noise and shaking are common, but if you also feel fear, it can be considered a psychiatric illness.” Depending on the severity, treatment is necessary. Among celebrities, Sandara Park from 2NE1 is considered a representative example of successful treatment. Sandara Park said, “I had such a severe fear of flying that I was famous among the flight attendants, but I received treatment at a specialized hospital and am now cured.”The treatment for flying phobia varies depending on the severity and type. If you feel nervous and anxious but have no major problems boarding the plane, it is classified as ‘mild’. They can relieve their symptoms by stimulating the five senses, such as listening to music or smelling perfume. It is also helpful to reduce tension in the body by stimulating the parasympathetic nerve through abdominal breathing. Comedian Yang Se-hyung once confessed that he overcame his fears with dirty thoughts. Although this method does not apply to the Jeonggongbeop, it is said to be partially effective in that it stops thoughts that stimulate anxiety. Since our brain has a limited amount of information processing, we should increase the share of other thoughts rather than ‘worries and concerns.’
People who avoid flying unless they absolutely have to, or who cannot fly at all, are classified as having ‘severe’ fear of flying and require professional treatment. For those who are concerned about the safety of air travel, even if they take prescribed tranquilizers, the effect is minimal. Experts emphasize that it is important to improve distorted perceptions of aviation accidents and increase trust in the aviation system through education and counseling. For those with anxiety disorders, training is provided on breathing techniques and muscle relaxation techniques to control symptoms. Symptoms of flying phobia can then be alleviated through a program that adapts to gradual exposure to closed and high-altitude spaces.
Some people suffering from aviophobia often say things like, “I took sleeping pills so I could sleep better on the plane, but my fear overcame the sleeping pills,” and “I stayed up all night on purpose the night before, but when I got on the plane, I was so scared that I couldn’t sleep at all.” Regarding this method, Director Lee said, “Sleeping pills are not recommended for short-distance flights. “Staying up all night is not recommended,” he advised. “It is better to board in the best condition possible.”_inner”>
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What are some common techniques to overcome aviophobia or the fear of flying?
Fear of flying, or aviophobia, is a common issue faced by many individuals, including notable figures like Kim Jong-il, who preferred train travel due to this fear, and celebrities such as Shin Hye-sun, Park Na-rae, and Brian. This anxiety can stem from simple phobias focused on airline safety or be intertwined with broader anxiety disorders, such as claustrophobia or panic disorder.
Statistically, air travel is one of the safest modes of transportation, with the likelihood of an accident being extremely low. Recent reports indicate a drop in the number of aviation accidents and related fatalities. However, those with a simple fear of flying often fixate on the possibility of a crash, largely due to a perception that their safety is reliant on the pilot and the aircraft itself. Reasons for this fear can include personal experiences, such as encountering turbulence, which many experiencing fear of flying cite as a significant trigger for their symptoms.
Experts like Lee Sang-min note that the anxiety felt during a flight can often be linked to a lack of visible support, unlike driving on a road where the ground can be seen. This perception can heighten fear and anxiety levels during flights, especially when turbulence occurs, even though the risk of serious harm due to turbulence is exceptionally low.
For individuals with milder forms of flying phobia, various methods can be effective in alleviating anxiety. Techniques include sensory stimulation (like listening to music or using calming scents), engaging in abdominal breathing, or using distraction techniques. Comedian Yang Se-hyung humorously mentioned using distracting thoughts to manage his anxiety.
For those with severe fear of flying, who may avoid flights altogether, professional help is recommended. Treatment can include counseling, exposure therapy, and education about air travel’s safety to help shift distorted perceptions regarding flying. Relaxation techniques and gradual exposure to flight scenarios are also employed to manage and reduce symptoms.
Sleep aids are often misused by those anxious about flying, as many report negative experiences even after taking medication. Experts advise maintaining a good state of rest prior to flying rather than relying on pills or staying awake the night before a flight.
fear of flying is acknowledged as a genuine condition that can significantly affect individuals’ lives. However, with appropriate strategies and professional support, many can manage or even overcome their fears, as demonstrated by celebrities like Sandara Park, who successfully treated her severe fear of flying.