5 Comments

1. Pedro! says:

   July 19, 2009 at 10:37 am

   Short answer: statistically speaking, flying is the safest method of travel.

   Long answer (from wikipedia):

   >Education
   _________

   In some cases, educating people with a fear of flying about the realities of aviation can considerably diminish their fears. Learning how aircraft fly, how airliners are flown in practice, and other aspects of aviation can assist people with a fear of flying in overcoming its irrational nature. Many people have overcome their fear of flying by learning to fly or skydive, and effectively removing their fear of the unknown. Some people with a fear of flying undertake education themselves; others attend courses (for people with the phobia or for people interested in aviation) to achieve the same result. Some airline and travel companies run courses to help people get over the fear of flying.

   Education plays a very important role in overcoming the fear of flying. Understanding what a certain sound is or that an encounter with turbulence will not destroy the aircraft is beneficial to easing the fear of the unknown. Nevertheless, when airborne and experiencing turbulence, the person can be terrified despite having every reason to know logically that the plane is not in danger. In such cases, therapy – in addition to education – is needed to gain relief.

   Medication
   _________

   A fear of flying may be treated by the use of psychoactive medications. For individuals experiencing anxiety due to a phobia, the standard psychiatric prescription might be any of a number of different psychoactive medications such as benzodiazepines or other relaxant/depressant drugs. Psychiatrists are sometimes reluctant to prescribe any medication for the treatment of fear of flying due to the need for patients to medicate irregularly.

   Some individuals with fear of flying may self-medicate with other psychoactive substances—particularly alcohol, which is served in many commercial airline cabins—in order to deal with their anxiety. Most mental health professionals would advise against consuming alcohol as a medication both due to the strong risk of dependency (alcoholism) and due to the particular physiological effects on the body of air travel. In a pressurized cabin, the lower-than-normal oxygen content of the air will cause an alcoholic beverage to have a significantly enhanced effect on the body—resulting in a perhaps surprising level and rapidity of intoxication from only one or two drinks. On the other hand, some professionals believe that if an individual is capable of controlling his or her drinking—i.e. is not an alcoholic—and consumes only a small amount at a time, that an alcoholic beverage before or during a flight may be beneficial as a short-term treatment of mild fear of flying.[citation needed] Most would still advise a more long-term strategy of therapy
   References :
   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fear_of_flying
2. Lunaeclipz says:

   July 19, 2009 at 11:27 am

   Your doctor can prescribe a valium or xanax for you-don’t hesitate to ask
   References :
3. Michael says:

   July 19, 2009 at 11:56 am

   I understand your concern. Basically I’d say, just relax, think of air travel as the most secure way to travel, but this state of mind is hardly achievable after the recent Air France crash. I’m begging you, don’t go for expensive medication, you never know the side effects.
   Instead try some audio lessons. They’re available for free sometimes and I go over a very good one on my blog. You should give it a try, it’s free:

   http://www.flying-withoutfear.blogspot.com
   References :
4. Kathy M says:

   July 19, 2009 at 12:22 pm

   I hope you can find help with one of these tips and ENJOY your flight…
   References :
   http://www.ehow.com/how_4880275_overcome-fear-of-flying.html
5. El Salvador in 2 days! :) says:

   July 19, 2009 at 12:28 pm

   have you ever flown before?? it’s fun, & very safe. it’s actually the safest way to travel. trained professionals check the planes many times before they take off to make everything’s in tip-top shape. have fun! i’m flying out of the country in 3 days.
   References :