Help! I’m Afraid to Fly

Suppose the fear of flying or even arriving at an airport instills in you a sense of panic. In that case, you might have travel limitations that deprive you of some fantastic adventures or employment opportunities. However, with the right help, you can tackle your fear of flying and get on with enjoying life.

Thriving Center of Psychology has trained professionals who know how cumbersome the fear of flying can be. They offer various services to help you confront your fears in a compassionate, nonjudgmental environment.

Causes of Flying Phobia

Aviophobia is the technical term for fear of flying. With this phobia, you likely experience a crushing sense of terror when flying or just thinking about boarding a plane.

While the medical community still doesn’t completely understand the phobia’s cause, it’s likely linked to a type of anxiety you might have about flying. There might also be a connection to other phobias, such as fear about being in an enclosed space (claustrophobia) or fear of heights (acrophobia).

When You Should Seek Treatment

Many people pursue treatment for aviophobia only when they absolutely have to travel by plane. However, you can get help at any time so that you’ll be ready to fly when you need or want to travel. Also, getting help before you anticipate an upcoming flight takes some of the pressure out of the treatment process.

Warning signs of a fear of flying include anxious feelings when thinking about flying, extreme panic during flight, or avoiding air travel altogether for five years or more.

Fear of flying can also come with one or more physical side effects:

• Trembling
• Increased heart rate
• Panic attack
• Nausea
• Shortness of breath

How Therapy Can Help with Your Fear of Flying

Thriving Center of Psychology offers several therapies to help you confront and tackle your fear of flying. Treatment options include:

• Group therapy
• Neurofeedback training
• Talk therapy (psychotherapy)
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET)

Benefits of VRET in Treating Flying Fear

VRET can help you rethink your feelings and attitudes toward flying. Thriving Center of Psychology uses virtual-reality cameras within a controlled environment to project real-life situations in which you immerse yourself, all under the guidance of a qualified therapist.

VRET exposes you to a virtual situation involving flying to help you dispel the negative feelings you might associate with it. With VRET, your provider can help you address your fearful responses and build your confidence.

Contact Thriving Center of Psychology to learn more about the advantages of VRET and other therapies to help you overcome your fear of flying You can schedule an appointment online or call the office directly.