Tips for overcoming flying fear

Stadium, which also triggered controversy. Five to their mental health this morning, the fear of flying almost 25 million Americans, are struggling with it. For some of them, entry to an airport can bring their stress at heavenly height. Yes, and here with one council is Doctor Ashwini Nadkarni, a psychiatrist at Mass General Brigham. GOOD MORNING. Thank you for coming to us. Thank you for having me. First of all, get under control, the youngest aircraft falls like this fatal crash between the military helicopter and the trading aircraft in DC. There may have been more afraid of flying for everyday travelers and in particular those who are already suffering from aerophobia. What do we know? I know it's a common phobia, but what causes it? Yes, so genetic factors, learned behaviors and, as you noticed, can play a role in traumatic experiences. Genetic factors relate to this point that you know from which I do. You have anxiety disorders in your family. Learning means when they were a child, were their parents particularly afraid when they flown with them? If so, there is the impression that you should also be afraid. And finally, traumatic experiences relate to what they said that they are accidents in the press. Or maybe when you flew, you came across a particularly turbulent flight. And that was a terrifying incident. Doctor Carney, you treated patients with this disease. Are you usually afraid of driving in a car or taking a train? So that's such a great point. You absolutely don't. You know that aircraft are unknown areas. The noises, the movements, the turbulence can certainly tighten fear. Airplanes are also limited places. Somehow stuck as soon as they are there. You cannot open a window like in a car or a train. And the other challenge in aircraft is that you can get out when you get to your goal. While you may be able to stop on the roadside or a train by car, you can get out at another train station. This can be difficult in the family. Some people agree. Others could have phobia. How do you not treat it apart from the fact that air travel is completely avoided? Surprisingly, it can surprisingly learn a lot about planes to dispel fear. So you know what turbulence is, how does the aircraft actually stand up to you? That can help. Another way to dispel some of this fear is to ensure that if you are in an airplane than some time for my time, consider to carry out some distracting activities. Usually you cannot listen to music, watch films or catch up on a good reading. And finally there is a form of formalized therapy, which is referred to as exposure -based cognitive behavior therapy and works with a therapist to expose themselves to the stimuli that they could fear. And over time this fear drops. This enables you to enter into many small aircraft with your therapist, Doctor Ashwini Nakani

Tips for overcoming flying fear

Updated: 5:30 p.m. EDT March 15, 2025

Almost 25 million Americans have to struggle with fear of flying, and only steps into an airport that sends heavenly sky for some stress levels. Dr. Ashwini Nadkarni, a psychiatrist of Mass. General Brigham spoke to Newscenter 5 to give those who are afraid of flying.

Needham, mass. –

Almost 25 million Americans have to struggle with fear of flying, and only steps into an airport that sends heavenly sky for some stress levels. Dr. Ashwini Nadkarni, a psychiatrist of Mass. General Brigham spoke to Newscenter 5 to give those who are afraid of flying.