In brief
- People with a fear of flying may suffer from generalised anxiety disorder (GAD)
- GAD is a recognised medical condition and needs to be diagnosed by a qualified medical professional
- If you are living with GAD, professional therapy and the support of a qualified team of specialists can help you to get the confidence to fly
Some people afraid of flying find anxiety persists once the flight has finished, which may lead them to question whether they’re experiencing an isolated phobia, or whether the worry could be part of a much broader issue, such as Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD).
Fear of flying is one of the world’s most common phobias. Those with a fear of flying can experience anticipatory anxiety (in the build up to the flight) and anxiety when boarding and flying which dissipates once the journey ends.
We’re not clinical professionals but we can explore what research and clinical guidance say about how GAD and fear of flying might be connected.
What is Generalised Anxiety Disorder?
Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a recognised mental health condition characterised by persistent and excessive worry, says the NHS.
GAD is a common problem and can have both a physical and mental impact on those experiencing it.
People with GAD often describe a constant sense of unease, tension, or dread. Unlike a targeted phobia (like flying, for example) the anxiety can be spread across many aspects of life.
While nervous flyers can find their anxiety reduces after their flights have finished, GAD can be more intrusive, influencing thoughts and feelings throughout life.
The connection between GAD and fear of flying
Fear of flying (aviophobia) is a recognised condition. While it can be linked to GAD, they’re distinct diagnoses.
People with a defined phobia and GAD both experience heightened anxiety and can use avoidant behaviours (such as not flying).
For those who experience anxiety, flying can become one (or potentially many) triggers. The perceived stresses of air travel (busy airports, cramped planes and the unpredictability of turbulence) can exacerbate worry patterns.
For these individuals, flying isn’t always the problem. Instead, the uncertainty and lack of control that can be experienced when flying can prime an already highly sensitive anxiety system.
When fear of flying extends beyond the airport (causing worry for weeks before flights, triggering anxiety in unrelated situations) may suggest GAD.
Fear of flying can be part of a deeper pattern of anxiety that may require professional support from a qualified therapist.
If you’re experiencing high levels of anxiety for any reason, it’s worth speaking to a qualified medical professional, like a doctor or therapist. They can help assess whether you’re experiencing GAD and guide you toward effective support.
How treatment can help you
Both GAD and fear of flying respond well to evidence-based treatments like CBT and exposure therapy.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) can help people with anxiety identify and challenge anxious thoughts, replacing them with more balanced and realistic thoughts.
Some people can benefit from grounding techniques, relaxation training, and mindfulness. It really depends on the individual and the support recommended by a professional.
Many airlines now offer dedicated fear of flying courses, often led by pilots and psychologists. These courses combine education about how planes work with proven anxiety-management techniques.
You can also access a huge range of content on Fly Above Fear which can help you understand more about aviation and anxiety, including tools you can use to restore calm.
What to do if you think GAD might be part of your fear of flying
It’s easy to search online and self-diagnose conditions like GAD, but this is best left to professionals. If your fear of flying is affecting your life and mental health, speak with a professional who can listen to you, learn about your experiences and provide a professional diagnosis.
Fear of flying and Generalised Anxiety Disorder can overlap. But they don’t always go hand in hand. In the end, both can be successfully treated with the support of a qualified professional.
FAQs
Aviophobia is a recognised, distinct condition, but it can be linked to Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD). While people with both experience heightened anxiety and may avoid flying, GAD is characterised by persistent and excessive worry across many aspects of life, not just flying. So, a fear of flying may be a symptom of GAD.
Generalised Anxiety Disorder is a recognised mental health condition defined by persistent and excessive worry, a constant sense of unease, tension, or dread. It’s typically spread across many aspects of life and influences both your thoughts and feelings and can have both a physical and mental impact. GAD needs to be diagnosed by a qualified medical professional and isn’t something that can be self-diagnosed.
Both GAD and fear of flying respond well to evidence-based treatments, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), which helps identify and challenge anxious thoughts, and exposure therapy. You can also use breathing exercises, mindfulness and grounding to help deal with the immediate stress you may feel before a flight.
