07/04/2010
One in six are scared to fly
by Sarah Howard
According to a report in Which? one in six people in the UK are scared to fly - ranging from feelings of anxiety to a complete phobia that prevents an individual from even looking at a plane.
It is reported that many people are often too embarrassed to discuss their phobia, believing that friends or family will dismiss their fears with safety percentages or believe that they are being irrational.
Many people turn to alcohol or stimulants to help them get through a flight, but this can worsen feelings of stress or anxiety. In addition, alcohol in particular can cause dehydration, which won't make the journey any more pleasant or relaxing.
Which? provides tips for those who have a fear of flying, including good organisation and preparation; keeping your eyes open during take-off, and re-iterating to yourself that you made the decision to fly.
The Mirror has recently reported on Scientists injecting goldfish with lidocaine to reduce their feelings of fear, commenting that such injections could be used on people with phobias such as of flying.
Nevertheless, for some people who have an extreme phobia of flying, drugs may not be a sustainable answer and simple relaxation techniques may prove useless. To combat the phobia in the long term, fear of flying hypnotherapy has been penned as a positive approach. Whilst one session may not be a magical cure for those with a deep rooted fear, a few sessions can provide a permanent solution, allowing an individual to plan holidays from Australia to Zanzibar.
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