What Fear of Flying Can Feel Like
Fear of flying doesn't always begin when you get on the plane. You might start worrying days before a trip, have trouble sleeping the night before, or feel tense on the way to the airport.
For some people, the hardest part is takeoff or turbulence. Others worry about having a panic attack, feeling trapped, or not being able to get off the plane. Some avoid flying altogether, even when it means missing something important to them.
What Part of Flying Feels Frightening?
When someone says they're afraid of flying, it doesn't necessarily mean they're afraid of the plane crashing. There may be something more specific that bothers them.
Maybe it's turbulence, or the feeling of the plane leaving the ground. Maybe it's being in a closed space where you can't leave whenever you want. Some people are more afraid of their own reactions, such as panicking during the flight, than of the flight itself.
It can help to ask yourself: What exactly am I afraid will happen? The answer may give you a better idea of what you need to work on.
Why Reassurance May Not Be Enough
You may know that flying is generally safe. You've heard the statistics, and you understand that millions of people fly without problems. But knowing this doesn't necessarily stop you from feeling afraid.
Fear isn't always something you can talk yourself out of. You might remind yourself that everything is fine, yet still feel your heart racing when the plane starts moving or when you hear an unfamiliar sound.
This doesn't mean the facts are useless. It just means that understanding something intellectually and feeling safe are not always the same thing.
What May Contribute to Fear of Flying?
There isn't one reason people develop a fear of flying. Sometimes it starts after a frightening experience on a plane. Other times, the fear develops gradually, even if someone has flown comfortably for years.
For some people, it's connected to a fear of heights, enclosed spaces, or not being in control. Others may have heard about an accident or started worrying more about safety after something changed in their lives.
And sometimes there isn't an obvious explanation. You may not know when the fear started or why. But you don't necessarily need to know where it came from to resolve it.
What Can Help Before and During a Flight?
If you have a flight coming up, start by thinking about what makes flying difficult for you. Are you worried about turbulence, feeling trapped, or having a panic attack? Knowing what you're afraid of can help you decide what might be useful.
Try to make the practical side of traveling as easy as possible. Give yourself enough time to get to the airport, avoid rushing, and take care of anything you can prepare ahead of time.
If you become anxious during the flight, pay attention to what's actually happening around you. Notice when your mind starts imagining what could go wrong. Slow breathing or grounding yourself in your immediate surroundings may help you settle, even if they don't remove the fear completely.
When You May Want Help With Fear of Flying
If your fear of flying is keeping you from taking trips you want or need to take, it may be time to look beyond ways of coping with the anxiety.
You may have tried reassuring yourself, learning about airplane safety, or using relaxation techniques. These things can help, but they don't always change the fear itself.
The goal is to understand what's keeping the fear going and, if possible, resolve it, rather than simply finding ways to get through the next flight.
Hypnotherapy for Fear of Flying
When someone comes to see me about a fear of flying, I want to understand what they're actually afraid of. Is it something about the plane or the flight itself? Is it the feeling of being trapped, losing control, or worrying about having a panic attack?
We look at when the fear happens, what triggers it, and whether there are past experiences or emotional responses connected to it. Sometimes the connection is clear. Other times, we need to explore further to understand what's keeping the fear going.
Depending on what we find, I may use hypnotherapy, NLP, parts work, or other approaches. I don't use the same method with everyone. The goal is to address what's causing or maintaining the fear and work toward resolving it.
Questions or Scheduling
If fear of flying is keeping you from traveling, we can explore what's behind it in a private session.
I see clients in Albuquerque and online through Zoom.
You can book a private session online, or schedule a consultation if you'd like to talk about your situation before deciding how to proceed.
You can also call or text 505-823-6508 with a question.
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