I suspect it may have something to do with living on an island but the last time I wrote an article about flight phobia I received a significant number of emails and letters asking me for more information about my ‘fear of flying’ programme.  Interestingly, more than half the people who come to me to have their flight phobia ‘cured’ do not in fact have a fear of flying at all.  It is merely the set of circumstances in which they find themselves, strapped into a seat in a small aluminium tube, and with a crowd of people, which prevents them from giving vent to their (appropriately) Fight or Flight response.

 Let’s talk a little more about that and why it’s important, as it’s all looked after by your Amygdala, that part of your brain that is your ‘security officer’ and which is in charge of your ‘Fight or Flight’ response.  It’s the same part of us that acts without logical thought so our ‘thinking brain’ is bypassed when something appears to be threatening us, because our brain has ‘pattern matched’ to a set of circumstances which, in primitive times, would have set us ready to stand our ground and fight, or to run like mad. 

 Most who have suffered a panic attack, for that’s what it actually is, report that it “just seemed to come from nowhere, for no reason” and that’s quite accurate when you really understand what’s happening.  There are other major contributory factors, one of which is to do with the amount of oxygen we have been taking in.  So, hyperventilation, where you have too much oxygen and not enough carbon dioxide, is often the forerunner to a panic attack.  What is also clear is that unusually large amounts of stress, either internal or external, can be the final trigger that sets off the panic attack.  Vitally, it is our reaction to stress which finally puts the last piece of the jigsaw in place, and which offers the perfect scenario in which our Fight or Flight response becomes activated and we need to fight or run, but strapped into an aeroplane with the doors closed leaves us feeling trapped.  The first time that happens it’s terrifying, but every flight thereafter can simply be pouring fuel onto the fire and compounding the fear.

I have no fear at all when I’m sitting in an aeroplane, but the person beside me could feel terrified with his or her ‘panic’ response turned up to maximum.  There are now very effective interventions, which can help in the vast majority of cases, so living on an island need not leave you feeling trapped.  Enjoy your flight!