Hypnosis and fear of flying: how to overcome in-flight anxiety?

Hypnosis is one of the alternative therapies for overcoming fear of flying. Plunged into a state of semi-consciousness, it enables you to explore your fears and deactivate them. Find out how hypnotherapy works, and what factors help you to overcome your fear of flying.

Hypnosis and fear of flying: how does it work?

Hypnosis doesn't just tackle aviophobia: this therapeutic method offers a global response to all kinds of phobias and anxieties. In particular, "Ericksonian hypnosis" is used to cure fear of flying. This involves plunging the patient into a state of semi-consciousness, enabling the hypnotherapist to interact with the subconscious. Thanks to this state of hypnosis, the hypnotherapist can defuse fears and build a calm, tranquilizing response to the phobia.

How do hypnosis sessions work?

"Your eyelids are heavy..." Far from clichés, hypnotherapy has become quite common for overcoming fears associated with flying. It is generally applied over the course of 3 to 4 sessions, or more if necessary. In rare cases, a single session may suffice - particularly if the patient is highly receptive to hypnosis.

As in psychology, the content of each session is different for each person. The method is tailored to the nature and degree of the fear of flying. The hypnotherapist will address each person's specific problems and tailor his or her therapy to what is causing the fear of flying.

Indeed, aviophobia can have many causes: fear of death, claustrophobia, fear of losing control, trauma linked to a turbulent flight, fear of human failure, etc...

Whatever the cause, hypnosis can be used to explore the subconscious mind and clear up the roots of fear of flying. The therapist interacts through suggestions, questions and reminders, introducing change to deactivate the mechanisms that trigger phobias and anxieties.

Depending on the case, hypnosis may involve an "age regression" exercise. This involves revisiting a past episode. The aim is to defuse the root causes of anxiety by de-dramatizing bad past experiences. Once the phobia trigger has been desensitized, the patient should be able to fly again without stress.

Hypnosis: when can it permanently cure fear of flying?

For some people, hypnosis is an effective method of getting back into flying for good. There is no universal answer: for others, hypnotherapy will have no effect, unfortunately. It all depends on your affinities, with some people preferring therapies such as sophrology, self-hypnosis, relaxation, online training or complete courses against the fear of flying (followed or not by an accompanied flight). The most important thing is to be well-informed when choosing among the therapies available!

Are we all equal when it comes to hypnosis?

The downside of hypnotherapy is that not everyone is equal when it comes to this method. First of all, some people get anxious at the thought of being hypnotized: not ideal for a calm approach to therapy.

Many patients find it easy to enter deep or light hypnosis. However, others are not at all receptive and fail to enter a state of semi-consciousness.

Receptivity to hypnosis is an important factor in the success of therapy. In people who are not receptive to hypnosis, the therapy may have little effect.

The importance of choosing the right hypnotherapist.

Choosing the right therapist is crucial to success. A good feeling is also a key factor in success.

The hypnotherapist must also be a professional doctor, a guarantee of trust. Word of mouth is often the best way to select a hypnotherapist. The first session is also decisive in ensuring that you feel confident and that the therapy has every chance of succeeding.

While there's no guarantee of 100% results, hypnotherapy remains an alternative therapy to consider closely if you're receptive to it. It's a risk you have to take, but one that can have a major impact on overcoming your fear of flying. Another option is self-hypnosis, an on-board method you can apply yourself to relax on board.