[Fear of flying].
All reliable data and statistics point to the safety of flying. Nevertheless many opinion surveys indicate that every third in the population is affected by aviophobia in one way or the other. Aviophobia is simply a specific phobia from which men and women suffer the same degree. It can be found in all social strata and all occupational groups. Aviophobia is felt in very subjective manners and different ways. The structure of reasons of aviophobia can be very complex, whereas it is somewhat easier to identify immediately the causes. Depending upon the degree of aviophobia different strategies of treatment are indicated. Next to the confrontation theraphy the most wellknown therapy is the systematic desensibilization, classic relaxation methods and cognitive strategies for overcoming the phobia. A high degree of success has been achieved with workshops on aviophobia. These workshops show an increasing tendency. It can be expected that in the future exposition treatment working with virtual realities will also prove successful in overcoming aviophobia. First case studies on the effectivity are all ready available and further effects towards corroborating the effectivity are being plant. Successful with a reduced and minimal input of therapeutic council are also self-management books. In order to master aviophobia, it may be sufficient in cases of less intensivity to work with self-management books in the sense of bibliotherapy.
Müller-Ortstein
H
H
Facharzt für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, München.
Baumeister
H P
HP
D000337:Aerospace Medicine; D000401:Aircraft; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010698:Phobic Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D011613:Psychotherapy