How hypnosis can help with fear of flying

Guest article by Sebastian Haffner

The holiday season is approaching, and while many people look forward to carefree days at the beach or exploring exotic countries, around 16 percent of Germans suffer from a fear of flying, which can truly spoil the travel experience. However, there is a solution that can genuinely help: hypnosis!

I myself am a practicing hypnotherapist who has successfully treated many individuals with a fear of flying. Based on my experience, I understand the transformative power of hypnotherapy and how it can contribute to overcoming fears and barriers.

High success rate in treating fear of flying

In my practice, I've treated many individuals suffering from a fear of flying, and I can confidently say that hypnosis is a highly effective method for overcoming this fear. This viewpoint is supported by science as well: The high success rate of hypnotherapy for fear of flying ranges from 80 to 90 percent, depending on the study, making it incredibly successful. Currently, around 200 empirical effectiveness studies involving over 10,000 participants confirm the therapeutic efficacy of hypnosis for various medical conditions and disorders, including anxiety disorders like fear of flying.

For good reason, hypnosis is increasingly gaining attention from the media. It's also well-suited as an alternative to pills and medications, as it delivers good results completely painlessly and without side effects.

A few hypnosis sessions can help overcome fear of flying

One more advantage of hypnosis is its ability to achieve the desired outcome in just a few sessions, and it also works exceptionally well online. On average, only three to six sessions are needed to significantly reduce or even completely overcome the fear of flying. Compared to other therapeutic approaches that often require several months of commitment, hypnotherapy is remarkably efficient in terms of time and cost. Even just a few weeks before a vacation, it's a viable option to consider.

Regrettably, many people hold misconceptions about hypnosis, causing them to hesitate when contemplating hypnotherapy. Frequently, this misconception stems from stage hypnosis performances, which don't foster confidence in this valuable technique. In actuality, reputable therapeutic hypnosis is entirely distinct and bears more resemblance to guided meditation.

Throughout a hypnosis session, the individual enters a state of consciousness referred to as trance. Within this state, the person retains complete control over their thoughts and body and can recall everything post-session. In this relaxed state, specific brain regions responsible for fear, pain, or self-criticism are deactivated, while centres related to creativity, memory, and emotions are purposefully enhanced.

New neuronal connections lead to behavioural changes

New neuronal connections can be formed in the brain because individuals experiencing fear of flying are particularly receptive to positive suggestions and mental changes in this state. For instance, a person with a fear of flying can mentally embark on a flight journey during trance and feel what it would be like to fly completely fearlessly and relaxed. This sensation is then successfully anchored during hypnotherapy.

In summary, hypnosis is a promising therapeutic option for individuals with a fear of flying, as it can influence anxiety-triggering thoughts and feelings on a deeper level. Therefore, considering hypnosis as a sustainable therapy approach for overcoming fear of flying is worthwhile.