FLYING PHOBIA

Fear of flying is one of many fears referred to as a specific phobia.  A specific phobia is a marked fear of a specific object or situation.  When a person is exposed to a feared object, he/she tends to experience an immediate anxiety response.  This anxiety response may include increased heart rate, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath, fear of choking, chest pain, nausea, fear of loss of control, hot flashes and a numbing sensation,as well as other symptoms.  An individual fully recognizes that the fear is excessive or unreasonable and generally avoids the feared situation, such as flying in planes.  This is only diagnosed as a problem when the fear of the particular situation (i.e., airplane) significantly interferes with the person's occupational functioning, social life or daily routines.  Individuals with phobias frequently anticipate harm.  Flying phobias are viewed as a situational type of phobia as are fears of tunnels, bridges, elevators, public transportation, driving and closed spaces.  The most frequent onset occurs either during childhood or in the mid 20's.  The usual course of this disorder is chronic, with waxing and waning of symptoms when the patient goes untreated.  Flying Phobias can greatly interfere with job promotions due to avoidance of air travel and restriction of social activities. Approximately 75 to 90% of individuals with situational type phobias, are female.  The one-year prevalence of situational phobias in the United States is  about 9%, with  lifetime rates ranging from 10 to 11.3 percent.  Predisposing factors for specific phobias include traumatic events, observation of others or demonstration of fearfulness.  Individuals also frequently develop flying phobias as a result of repeated parental warnings about the dangers of flying, as well as from media coverage of airplane crashes.  Phobias which persist into adulthood without treatment generally only remit in approximately 20% of the cases.  Some familial pattern for the presentation of phobias is noted.  Treatment of specific phobias, including flying phobias, involves a process known as systematic desensitization.  Treatment tends to be highly successful in completely eliminating the patient's fear as long as the patient continues to apply learned skills.

For more information, please contact Peninsula Mental Health Services

Peninsula Mental Health Services
Treatment | Programs | Staff | Appointments | Directions
Peninsula Addiction Services
Treatment | Programs | Staff | Appointments | Directions

410-860-COPE