How EMDR Helped my Flying Anxiety
EMDR is a powerful technique that can help with phobias.
You might have read my first blog about flying anxiety. I wrote about practical strategies for flying anxiety and how I used a tv show to help occupy my mind during short exposure flights. EMDR played a big role in helping to resolve my fear of flying.
Read my first post about flying anxiety
I'm certain that I couldn't have resolved my flying anxiety without therapy. I tried to do it alone with medication for flying and exposure, but my attempts didn't resolve the fear. I learned that sleep through a flight was the most pleasant experience, but it didn't cure a thing. For me, it was only a bandaid. The way I had major gains in reducing my fear was through a mixture of EMDR and then gradual exposure with flying. (This is called the in vivo practice part of EMDR.)
EMDR for Phobias
Learn about EMDR in my practice
Titrating Fearful Imagery
Where I'm at Now: *An Update*
Flying with a mask was better than I imagined it could be (isn't is usually that way with anxieties...) I was concerned about if others would fuss over the rules, if they would wear it properly and if my face would feel too hot if I got anxious. I used to get a sore throat most times after flying from the mix of the oxygen and overhead air, lately I don't. So now that the mask requirement on planes is lifting, I'll likely keep mine on for all the benefits I experience. It's my cozy little mouth and nose cave while I fly, and I can easily add some calming essential oil or sniff my Vick's stick when I need a refreshing blast. Have I had anxious moments in the air? A few. Turns out that it depends on the plane more than anything. I had a dreamy-but-turbulent flight (seriously!) on an airbus that was as smooth as riding my paddleboard on the river. As I'm in the clouds, I remind myself that I experience anxiety and I've been okay every time so I'll be okay again. That seems to do the trick. (Plus enjoying the time to focus on the latest book or tv show I'm watching!)
Do you have a fear of flying?
Let's work together.