Prayers and panic playlists: When flying becomes a phobia

Time of India

8 hours ago

When the pilot comes on the PA system and says, 'Sit back, relax and enjoy the flight,' some folks go yeah, right! They mutter their prayers, maintain a deathly grip on the arm rests or the arm of a fellow passenger, and just wait for the torture to end.
While the Air India crash in Ahmedabad has made even some seasoned fliers rethink their travel plans, those who suffer from aviophobia or fear of flying have even more reason to panic.
Bengaluru-based consultant Dona Baby is one of them. She finds herself shutting her eyes tightly every time a plane takes off, and rattling off prayers under her breath. She also tries to distract herself during the journey by watching movies on her phone.
Yet, the unease doesn't fade. 'I think what scares me is how serious things can get if something goes wrong,' she says.
In the aftermath of the news of the crash, many others posted about their fears and anxiety on social media. In a LinkedIn post, entrepreneur Jyoti Bharadwaj wrote about how she always flies in a terrified state: heart racing, palms sweating, scanning the faces of the flight attendants for the slightest change in expression.
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'Ever since I became a mother, that fear has deepened, it's almost primal. It's no longer just about me,' she adds.
Even though flying is statistically considered the safest way to travel today, close to 40% of people experience some form of anxiety regarding air travel, as per the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). A number of factors combine to give rise to this aviophobia, says clinical psychologist Mehul Pandey.
'The fear of the unknown increases while travelling in the air, as there's little possibility of surviving or calling for immediate help in times of emergency, or even contacting loved ones.
In-flight turbulence often adds to their anxieties. There's a feeling of being suspended between fate and faith,' Pandey says.
She adds that she sees many patients who take anxiety pills or therapy sessions before taking flights, despite being frequent fliers.
'It worsens for people who already have OCD or general anxiety issues, as they're not in control of the vehicle, unlike a car,' she adds.
However, there are also interesting ways that people have found to overcome this phobia. A Bengaluru-based firm Cockpit Vista, founded by retired Indian Air Force Wing Commander K Dinesh, conducts courses that help people face their fears. Since being set up in 2016, Kargil veteran Dinesh says he has trained over 2,000 people.
For the personalised courses that cost up to Rs 5,000 an hour, the team uses a real-size cockpit simulator.
The simulator-based session exposes the participants to various technical aspects of aviation and the psychology surrounding it. This is followed by a real flight with an expert that drives home the message.
'What this involves is basically telling the course-takers about what happens on the flight, how it happens, how pilots control the airplane, and the role that the air traffic control plays,' Dinesh says.
They are also allowed to sit in the cockpit and virtually fly a plane, in order to feel more confident about the process.
Whenever there's a plane crash anywhere in the world, the number of queries increases manifold, he says. Those who sign up are not just first-time fliers, but also passengers who've travelled anxiety-free in the past, and had been triggered due to news or bad personal experiences. A few of them experience the fear to such an extent that they're unable to board a flight, even in times of family or health emergencies.
Pandey says reframing the fear and using deep breathing techniques can help ease the anxiety and regulate the nervous system. Creating a 'comfort toolkit' for the flight, a calming playlist or podcast, a favourite book, and chewing gum or snacks can be of aid too.