While it may be perfectly normal to develop some kind of fear in driving, it is still a wonder why people are afraid of flying. Road accidents and mishaps are more common than plane crashes; the chances of a person getting killed because of flying are significantly lower than those of car accidents. But it is a reality; some people have a fear of flying, otherwise called aviophobia. When this happens, this person will experience panic attacks accompanied by vomiting, dizziness and breathlessness. The good news is that this fear can be overcome; it may not happen right away, it may take weeks or months of therapy but the bottom line is that you can get rid of it.

If you want to get over your aviophobia, you need to understand the root cause of this fear. There are many reasons why a person becomes afraid of flying and among them are:

• When you are often worried of terrorist attacks, this has become especially evident since the occurrence of 9/11. This will trigger fear.
• When you think that the airplane is not within your control because someone else is maneuvering it. Some people actually develop a fear of flying because of this. We always want to be the ones in control and with airplanes, we are deprived of that and we feel vulnerable.
• When you are placed in a small area, with not much space available, this could trigger claustrophobia.
• When there are instances of turbulence, it can immediately cause fear in some people, more so if it is added with some mechanical sounds. If you are not aware of what is going on, most likely you will tend to imagine that terrible things will happen.

Now that you know the root cause of aviophobia or the fear of flying, it is time we act on it. An important thing to do is to educate ourselves well. If there is something we do not fully comprehend, it is human nature to be afraid of it. You should know that flying is not dangerous and risky; the pilots are well-trained and the airplanes are always checked for safety. Here are some things that should help you overcome fear:

Statistics: It is said that your chances of getting into a car accident is 29 times higher than getting into an airplane accident. While this is such a relief, not all people will feel the same way. The fact is, it is still a possibility. Besides, other factors could also cause mishaps or negative things from happening. The best that you can do is to make sure you understand how flying works and how unlikely it is for a airplane accident to occur.

There are helpful courses you can look into.  Courses include clinics and regular courses; you can also read through books and watch videos about them. Perhaps the information you get here will help you ease your mind.

Exposure and desensitization: People who are afraid of flying will do what they can to avoid airplanes and flying. However, to help combat this fear, you need to be brave enough to face your fear; you need to expose yourself to airplanes and flying. Perhaps to make this easier you may need to undergo a process called desensitization. If you are not familiar with this, it is about visualizing and getting the feel of things before you actually face them. You can identify these situations and imagine them; it is important that you are very detailed and realistic. Go through these exercises often until you are ready to do the real thing. As soon as you are, then you can go ahead and start taking short airplane rides. Try to see if there is a difference; if the fear is lessened or is completely gone.

Medical Treatment: Probably another common form of treatment is by the use of drugs. These drugs help fight anxiety which becomes manifested when you start experiencing the fear of flying.

Therapy: A lot of people have been cured of their fear of flying through sessions with a psychotherapist. They are the experts when it comes to eliminating phobias. They can provide you outlets so you can let go easily such as in support groups, learning courses, among others.

Love and Care: As you struggle to get rid of your fear of flying, having a support group is vital. This could be family, friends or your local community; they will be the ones to encourage you to keep going and not to give up; they will give you some pieces of advice so you can manage your fears. You will find that it will be easier to overcome fear if you have the love and care of others to back you up.

Travelling by airplane is the most convenient and fastest way to get from one place to another. With globalization becoming the trend, taking an airplane ride is hard to avoid. Do what you can to get rid of your fear of flying. Air travel can be a pleasurable experience if you are not afraid of it. Follow these guidelines so that you do not have to be afraid of flying anymore.