Pteromerhanophobia - The Fear Of Flying


Pteromerhanophobia, probably better known as fear of flying, is an extremely common condition, caused not so much by a lone fear as by a combination of thoughts, fears and various triggers.
Some of the more common problems that constitute a fear of flying may include:


  • Claustrophobia

  • Feeling out of control

  • Fear of panic attacks

  • Fear of vomiting

  • Flying over water

  • Fear of terrorism

  • Fear crashing

Fear alone is not a bad thing, but is a normal and healthy response to a threat or threatening situation. However, anxiety is a different matter. Anxiety is a fear of what MAY happen, not what IS actually happening, and as such can become much more of a problem.

If you experience anxiety whilst flying, just ask yourself if your fear stems from what IS happening or what MAY happen. The odds are that it is your thoughts and not reality that is causing your anxiety. The fact is that statistically, an aircraft is an extremely safe method of transport.


A highly effective way of eliminating your fear of flying is to gain a better understanding of what a flight involves. Armed with quality information about the science, engineering and safety aspects, it will be much easier to enjoy flying.


Unnecessary fear and anxiety is often caused by lack of information and knowledge, so the more you can find out, the more you will realise that many of your thoughts are irrational, and the easier it will be to confront them and overcome your fear of flying.

If you have concerns about the dangers of flying and would like to learn more, a free report can be obtained from the Takeoff Today Program website, which details in straightforward terms how aircraft fly and the roles of the flight crew.

If your anxiety is more severe and extends to avoiding flying altogether or you experience panic attacks whilst flying, then the full Takeoff Today Program is for you, providing an easy to follow, step by step guide to defeating your anxiety and fear of flying

Thursday, 7 July 2011

What Causes a Fear of Flying?

A fear of flying can seriously affect your life, in many more ways than it may seem.  Those that suffer from a fear of flying may seriously curtail their flights, miss out on job opportunities, eliminate spending time with friends and family, and overall will suffer a massive reduction in self esteem as a result of this debilitating phobia.

What causes a fear of flying in the first place varies from person to person. Some may have had a bad experience previously, such as meeting severe turbulence , whereas others may not have a particular reason for their anxiety, other than a sense of being trapped at high altitude. It may be that the skills of the flight crew are not trusted or the lack of understanding of how the aircraft can remain in the air.

It is important to remember that whatever the individual cause of the anxiety about flying, there really is nothing to fear. Even those that suffer bad experiences when flying were most probably in no real danger at all. Aircraft today are manufactured to cope with a great deal more turbulence than may be typically encountered during a flight, and even should an engine fail, the level of crew training and the safety systems installed means that the danger is drastically minimized.

Anxiety and panic attacks during a flight can obviously feel extremely uncomfortable, and make sufferers believe that they will lose control and be so overwhelmed with fear that they will be in mortal danger. Although these thoughts can be clearly frightening, the perceived danger is just that and not real.

One of the best ways to overcome fear of flying is to follow a systematic approach to treatment, which covers not only how safe flying is, but also teaches the skills that will enable the modification of reactions to flying, permitting an end to anxiety and panic during the flight.

The Takeoff Today Program teaches all this and much more, making use of written, audio, and video material. Also available is some free information and reports, that will help sufferers get answers to many of their most common questions, by using interviews with pilots, flight crew and others involved in the aviation industry.

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