Overcoming Airplane Anxieties
How Guided Imagery Reduces Panic Attacks Caused by Fear of Flying
Jun 29, 2008 Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen
The fear of flying is a very serious and real threat to many people, who are overcome by panic attacks caused by airplane anxieties. Here, respected psychologist and hypnotherapist Bruce Eimer shares how guided imagery helped one of his clients successfully overcame her fear of airplanes.
Overcoming Panic Attacks Caused by Fear of Flying
Donna is a 42-year-old teacher who won a trip to Hawaii. Exciting, right? Not when the fear of flying supersedes the joy of winning free flights across the Pacific Ocean...
“When Donna learned the news, she became panicky because she had an extreme fear of flying," says Eimer. "In her mind, flying was associated with planes blowing up in the air and crashing on take-off and landing. Donna also felt trapped and out of control whenever she thought about getting on a plane.”
These airplane anxieties can lead to uncontrollable panic attacks.
Evaluating the Risks to Reduce Fear of Flying and Panic Attacks
In her sessions with Eimer, Donna realized that she overestimated the risks associated with flying – and she mistakenly assumed that driving is much safer. “This assumption allowed her to drive daily with little fear of having a serious car accident, but it prevented her from getting on an airplane,” says Eimer.
Eimer points out that the probability of getting into a fatal car accident is greater than the probability of dying in a plane crash. This knowledge alone may help some people successfully cope with panic attacks caused by fear of flying...but it didn't help Donna.
Learning the Root of Fear of Flying or Other Phobias
“Through therapy, Donna learned that her fear of flying was related to her confusion about the concepts of possibility and probability. She learned to recognize that even though there is a possibility that the plane she would be traveling on could crash, the probability of this happening was very low,” says Eimer.
Whether you’re struggling with a fear of flying or a fear of heights, it’s important to “clarify the difference between possibility and probability.” How likely is it that the plane will crash, or you’ll suddenly fall off the balcony or cliff? Once you realize how remote the chance of disaster is, you may be more likely to successfully cope with panic attacks and anxieties.
How Guided Imagery Reduces Panic Attacks and Airplane Anxieties
Eimer also taught Donna how to use guided imagery to overcome her fear of flying. She imagined flying to Hawaii safely; she also ran through different scenarios in her head. First, Eimer helped Donna use guided imagery successfully; then, she practiced it on her own until she felt more comfortable with the thought of getting on an airplane.
Eimer’s advice for overcoming fear of flying enabled Donna to fly to Hawaii and enjoy her vacation.
Eimer's Advice on Fear of Flying, Phobias, Anxieties, and Panic Attacks
“We are often more frightened than circumstances warrant. Our troubles spring more often from what we imagine and fantasize than from external reality,” says Eimer. “It is most adaptive to face your fears armed with knowledge. Many of the events you are afraid of, and consequently avoid, are possible but extremely improbable. That means that the odds or probability of their happening are extremely low. Knowing that these are the facts of a particular fear can give you the confidence to face that fear and do what you have been afraid of doing.”
About Psychologist and Hypnotherapist Bruce Eimer
Bruce Eimer’s new book is called Hypnotize Yourself Out Of Pain Now! A Powerful, User Friendly Program for Anyone Searching for Immediate Pain Relief. For more information about his work in Hypnosis and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for stress, weight loss, smoking cessation and chronic pain management, visit the Hypnosis Help Center.
If you found Advice for Fear of Flying helpful, you might try:
Overcoming Fear of Flying and Panic Attacks
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