If you are afraid of flying, loved ones often suggest that you relax and ignore it. But you know this advice doesn’t work. Because aerophobia actually consists of different fears, says clinical psychologist Martin Seif.
“Imagine flying as a set of circumstances in which the negative impact on you is greatly increased,” says aerophobia specialist Martin Seif (Martin Seif)1. “Fear of flying is a combination of several phobias that can be encountered on an airplane.”
Perhaps you have claustrophobia – the fear of enclosed spaces. And you are haunted by obsessive states in places where microbes accumulate. And in general, you are nervous being high above the ground. All this worries you on board the aircraft, turning into aerophobia.
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- Defeat aerophobia
Worst of all, you just can’t bring yourself to calm down. You have to learn how to deal with the fear of flying in the same way as with any other phobia, says the psychologist. The first step is usually to examine the nature of your fear and determine what makes you most anxious about flying. Then you need to face the source of your fear: if you are afraid of taking off, then take a ride on the flight simulator. Your job is to keep calm. After that, try to make a short flight, gradually moving on to longer ones.
Giorgio Nardone “Fear, panic, phobia”
Giorgio Nardone, creator of short-term strategic psychotherapy, shows in his book how patients can be helped to get rid of the symptoms of phobias, panic attacks, obsessions and hypochondria in 10-14 sessions.
But even if you know that your aerophobia is a serious problem, there will always be friends, fellow travelers, and just observers who will offer their “expert opinion”. They will tell you how to easily and quickly cure your fear. And, frankly, we, aerophobes, are already tired of listening to this. Please stop telling us:
1. “The chance of an accident is only one in a million!” Oh, if only we were given money every time we hear this…
2. “Just take a deep breath” We shouldn’t, because otherwise we might vomit. And if we get sick, you won’t be happy.
3. “Why don’t you just take a sleeping pill?” Because then I will sleep during the landing of the plane. I won’t do it for anything.
4. “Yes, you don’t need this sleeping pill. Just have a glass of wine” Did you say “one glass of wine”?
5. “Flying is even safer than driving a car.” So you mean to say that the car rises into the air for ten thousand kilometers? I do not think.
6. “Turbulence is normal” Tell me, when was the last time you were shaking in a little winged box in the clouds?
7. “Don’t worry, the most dangerous part is the takeoff” …and landing. And flight. And incredible speeds. You’re right, no problem.
8. “Just talk to me. I’ll distract you!” No thanks, we’d rather just sit here and try to survive.
9. “What are you most afraid of?” Total.
10. “Drink some water” Do a few large sips of vodka count?
11. “Everything will be fine” I understand everything, but now I don’t feel normal!
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