Flying Phobia

Terror lurks everywhere apparently. It comes from the monsters in the closet or under the bed, standing on the rooftop edge of a tall building, being alone on the streets in a bad section of town, or just getting on an airplane. Perhaps you have had clients who have a flying related phobia or maybe you yourself have one. Well, presto chango, hypnosis is a fine way to handle it. A relaxing session, a glass of wine or a cup of coffee and you are good to go.

But, what if you have a flying phobia, are in the hospital with a critical condition and have to be transported? One of my weight loss clients has a parent in this situation. They need to move his 87-year-old mother to a healthcare establishment closer to where he lives (the commute on weekends is getting to him, he has fly in to see her). He would like his mother’s care to be closer so he could see her during the week and he feels the medical care she would receive in his city would be better than what she is getting currently.

So, the phobia kicks in. She is absolutely terrified of being coptered out. The idea of spinning blades, the noise, the construction of the helicopter are all enough to send her under the covers. He asked if I could talk to her, which I have. I am not local to her, but he thought just a telephone call might convince her to try hypnosis. No go. Seems there is a phobia there as well. But what I did learn is that her phobia is focused on the helicopter idea. When asked if she would fly on a regular airplane, she said that would be fine, but she is too sick just now.

Not one to just let it go, I looked into having her flown and it is doable (that’s right Mrs. –can’t really mention her name – no more excuses!). I had no idea, but there are air ambulance services out there for just this sort of thing. Airambulance.net arranges medical flights internationally. They fly a variety of planes, not just puddle jumpers, and are equipped and are a licensed Medical Intensive Care unit. Nurses or paramedics travel with her or if a respiratory therapist or doctor is needed, they will also make the trip. Basically, an ambulance will take her from her current hospital to the airport runway where she will be put on her flight, and once she reaches her destination, she is taken off the flight and ambulanced to her new hospital.

Done, dealt with, over. Out.