by Joseph Adwan

Created on: January 18, 2009   Last Updated: January 29, 2009

The article written earlier was based upon my own solution to fear of flying.What changed my mind was my last flight from New York City I was seated next to a couple in their late 40,s.They were nice and courteous and I figured they were so much in love too since the wife clutched her husband hand even before they sat down.She was very nervous and he was looking at her with an assuring smile.

They sat down next to me , she is on the isle side he is in the middle and he was looking at me in an apologetic way and then he said my wife is scared of flying ,I said nothing to it ,flying is the safest way of transportation.She looked at me nervously and sarcastically and she said what if we just fill out the sky what are you going to do about it.

I answered it is not going to happen that is when I noticed her husband looking at me politely as if he was saying stop it don,t say anything anymore.As we started taxing she has gotten really nervous and started praying ,then as the plane accelerated and was on its way up she was mumbling Oh my God ,oh my God and was holding the husband,s arm , her eyes shut and she was shaking as if we were going down and as if she was reading her last rites.

Thirty minute or so into the flight she vomited and was having breathing difficulties.She was on the edge and in a state of nervousness and fear , she made me scared too and I was thinking what if we crash.I mean the chances to survive a mid air collision or a crash landing is very small and the chances to survive is very slim.

My thoughts and my mind started showing me different scenarios which actually affected me.Then it hit me, most people fear of flying is because their minds tell them it is dangerous and it is not safe and your memory keeps those images of crashes you have seen on TV and then put you in a state of shock as if it is happening to you.It is mentally based thoughts on many psychological influences in our minds which create such fears or It could be that the information we have is limited about flying.

Then I did some home work and found out schools exist just to help people get rid of those fears.Specialists and psychologists have programs to help people with fear of flight symptom.

And that brings to mind why I wrote the other article about fear of flying.Even though I loved the idea of flying and learning how to fly I was actually scared of flying and I now remember when my instructor told me that I need to get used to flying so I can get rid of my fear of heights.I still fly with no fears because I trust those roaring engines,this amazing energy and the technology behind.

I am still afraid of heights and I noticed that when we visited the Empire State building I got a little off focus and breathed heavily because of nervousness of being too far away from ground.

Therapy is available for those who want to conquer the fear of flying.Our times and these days we live in require most of us to be welling and ready to fly any place any minute.

Luckily according to statistics which I found on-line and you can research it yourself small percentage of people have substantial or psychotic fear of flying and most people can be treated with therapy and by getting used to airplanes and even airplanes scents.Going to the airport few times a week can help too but small percentage of people are refusing to fly and did not respond positively to any type of treatment or therapy and elect to use land transportation and stay grounded .

In the end the fear of flying just like most fears we have are generated by our minds based either on lack of information or on previous experiences and unsubstantiated thoughts which have no bases for such fears.

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