Hypnotherapy for a fear of flying logically and statistically shouldn't exist. It’s harder to find a safer form of travel. And yet the thought of it can leave you shaking like a leaf.
The good news is that any behaviour that you’ve learnt can be unlearned. More about that later.
Here are the Top 10 main reasons you’re likely to have a fear of flying
(1). Loss of control. There you are trapped in a metal tube, strapped in. You control none of the variables. How high you are, how fast you fly, how long it will take, the weather. Everything is in the lap of the gods.
It’s the same for people who dislike rollercoasters, cable cars and zip lines. It’s all out of your hands.
(2). Turbulence. Linked to a loss of control, suddenly the plane jolts. Drinks slop. Some people may suddenly squeal. You’ve seen the disaster movies where the worst happens (it’s a film).
(3). IBS. You’re worried about proximity to the toilet. Say you’ve got a window seat. Will you get out in time? Will you be up and down all the time and feel embarrassed? You start to feel out of sorts at the checking in gate: worried where the nearest toilet is. You keep this feeling going as you board.
(4). Emetophobia. You’re afraid you’re going to be sick. After all there’s a sick bag in the pocket in front to you. You’re also afraid someone near you will be sick. Emetophobia is also linked to your fear of losing control, or being unable to escape a situation - like a plane.
(5). Learnt behaviour. Someone in your family is afraid. Or you hear someone say, “Oh we’re all terrible travellers in this family” and you take it on board as a truth. You believe the adult. You accept this is normal behaviour.
(6). Claustrophobia. You’re trapped in a metal tube. Cramped up in your seat. The person in front has put their seat back. There’s no escape. On the other hand you could have agorophobia. You look out the window and there’s a wide open space in all directions. There’s a vast ocean of nothingness. Alternatively, you might be afraid of heights. Most jets are flying at a height greater than Everest
(7). Fear of a panic attack. Quite literally you’re afraid you’re going to be afraid. You think you’re going to have a panic attack in front of others and all the negative associations that brings with it:
Fear - you’re somehow incapable
Shame - you don’t have the same level of ‘bravery’ as others
You lose control - you value bing in control above everything else
No one can help you - you’ll have to suffer alone
You’ll be judged - others will think less of you
You’ll spoil things for others - you carry a guilt
You’re ‘making a ‘scene’ - being afraid is social unacceptable
(8). Taking on board other people’s stories. You’ve heard anecdotes of other people’s horror flights. Stories that have no doubt been embellished. They want to appear heroic, or that they’ve witnessed something way more scary than you will ever face.
(9). You castrophise. You’re a ‘what if’ sort of person. You can create your own vicious circle of doom. You apply this to flying
(10). You’ve no idea why. Flying is a thought that disturbs you. Simple as that. Where’s it come from? You’ve no clue.
Your top 10 flying fears answered with hypnotherapy
(1). Loss of control. If you fear a loss of control. Think about this. There is one thing you do always control - your response to things. You don’t have to let any outside event disturb your inner peace. Hypnotherapy is a great tool for this: taking away the meaning.
(2). Turbulence. Let’s look at the observable fact. Pilots have technology to predict turbulence and minimise any effect. There are air traffic control reports, on board radars and of course you can simply put your seta belt on.
And the University of Reading's Meteorology Department calculate that there’s less than a 1% chance of encountering any sort of turbulence that makes a difference of any sort .
(3). IBS. Hypnotherapy is good for this. Imagining and creating a sense of calm. Taking away your gut tension.
(4). Emetophobia. Yet again hypnotherapy is good at taking away the thoughts of any vomit. You can visualise being calm. Not bothered.
(5). Learnt behaviour. Anything that can be learnt can be unlearned. For example, with hypnotic desensitisation. That’s imagining a scenario under hypnosis and seeing yourself not being in the slightest bit bothered. In other words you don’t have to believe your thoughts.
(6). Claustrophobia. Hypnotherapy is ideal for this. Simply relax and we can work on ‘reprogramming’ your subconscious to dial down and fear of a confined space.
(7). Fear of a panic attack. With hypnotherapy you can learn at the very deepest level that you’re not your thoughts. You don’t even have to believe them. So the idea of a panic attack becomes an old thought, a past behaviour.
(8). Taking on board other people’s stories. Other people’s stories are nothing to do with you. Their fears, exaggerations and recollections are their business. Yours is to fly away and enjoy your holiday. Simple as that.
(9). You castrophise. Hypnotherapy - ‘talking’ to your subconscious - is an effective way to change the message even to no message at all. You’re just not bothered. It’s way less tiring.
(10). You’ve no idea why. If its something you believe with no observable fact then hypnotherapy can help you dismiss it for its lack of evidence. Send the fear of flying on its way.
What happens when you dial down your fear of flying?
You make life soooo much easier.
In effect you open up the world. You don’t have to drive or get the train. You can go anywhere.
If the rest of the family can fly and you can’t it can be a pinch point between you all. You’re stopping a tension and resentment.
Hypnotherapy for a fear of flying means you can look forward to your holiday, you don’t have to be demoralised, knock your confidence and feel that things will never get better.
Get the map out. Look at far flung places. You can now go anywhere. Explore.
What is hypnotherapy?
It’s a way of relaxing so a message can be landed at the deepest level. Hypnotherapists call it ‘talking to the subconscious’.
And what you learn under hypnosis in a therapy room can stay with you outside in the real world. Through check in, take off, the flight and landing. Happy holidays!
How effective is hypnotherapy for a fear of flying?
The science and the data make a powerful case for using hypnotherapy.
For example, if you Google “Hypnotic Responsivity and the Treatment of Flying Phobia” in the American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis there are studies after studies that come out in favour of using hypnosis.
Come and see me, then send me a post card.
I'm James Thomas. A Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapist. I've worked with lots of people who have a fear of flying. And using hypnotherapy for a fear of flying I've let them go and travel the world and have great family holidays.
And ideally I want you on that plane, G&T in hand watching a film.
Feel free to call me on 07787563099, or email me at jamesthomas@thegentlemind.co.uk
Then come and see me in York, Leeds or Harrogate.
