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We have all heard about
Pteromerhanophobia, but will know it best as the fear of
flying. This fear is one of the most common phobias and also
one that might be more public than a lot of others. This
phobia may have roots in childhood if there were parents or
family members who had this phobia and the child
internalized parental fear. Phobias begin with anxiety.
Perhaps a person had a traumatic experience involving planes
such as knowing someone who was killed or injured in a plane
crash. There are many things that can be included in a fear
of flying such as claustrophobia, not being in control, air
sickness, hijacking and terrorism, a need to fly over water
and fear of crashing. When anxiety about flying becomes
unconscious a phobia is likely to develop. |
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People with this phobia will avoid
flying as much as possible which can cause family and career
problems which will be negative for those relationships.
When Pteromerhanophobia is triggered,
anxiety symptoms will occur. Triggers could include a need to fly on
a vacation or business trip, hearing about a crash, seeing a movie
about a crash, even thinking about getting on a plane. The anxiety
symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, shaking, dizziness,
hyperventilation, heart palpitations, and panic attacks. These
symptoms can become so severe that medical treatment is necessary.
Pteromerhanophobia may be difficult
to deal with. However, when a person realizes that much of the fear
is irrational and makes a commitment to change, there is treatment
available. Some phobic people work well with a gradual
desensitization program. Some may choose a course of psychotherapy
which will help the person determine the cause, development and
maintaining factors for the phobia in addition to helping reduce or
even eliminate the disorder. Others might select Cognitive
Behavioral Therapy which will provide education about the phobia and
help devise management strategies for dealing with the fear of
flying. Hyponotherapy techniques can also be very helpful as can
participation in a support group.
*Accuracy not guaranteed.
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