Dr. Gail Saltz says there's a difference between flight 2anxiety and a 3flying phobia.
"A true phobia has 4diagnostic symptoms. They are more than six months of a 5degree of fear that they know at some level is 6irrational, their degree of fear, that causes a 7constellation of very specific symptoms."
Some physical symptoms include fast heartbeat, sweating, chest pain and vomiting.
"They might have emotional symptoms that are thinking about something happening on this flight. 'I feel terribly afraid. I feel like I could die. I feel I've got to 8escape'. This is 9horrendous."
Or there might be behavioral symptoms that make someone cancel a flight 10last minute or decide to take 11alternate transportation that's much longer or more 12inconvenient to avoid flying.
Even though there isn't one 13sole cause of flying phobias, Dr. Saltz says there are ways people can 14overcome them.
"Exposing yourself to the feared thing, having 15coping tools which help you manage the anxiety symptoms."
Virtual reality treatment, guided by a therapist, can also help, as well as educating yourself on how safe flying is 16statistically.
"The fact that these events have been happening doesn't mean that it is a more realistic fear to be having."
