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Dr Alice Boyes Psychologist, New Zealand
Over the weekend I read a good little book called “Flying without Fear” aimed at people who are anxious about flying. Its available in the Christchurch library system.
It’s written by a pilot, Captain Keith Godfrey.
It’s a quick read (I read it in about an hour). It explains how planes fly, and addresses the common concerns people have about what could go wrong in the air (e.g. what if an engine fails? What if the plane gets struck by lightening?)
The book doesn’t specifically address anxiety treatment strategies. However, accessing (a moderate amount of) factual information is itself a very good anxiety reduction strategy.
Sometimes people who are anxious about a topic avoid seeking factual information about that topic. Reading this book would be a good antidote to that.
