Written by Alex Gervash, commercial pilot (31 years) and fear of flying specialist (18 years, 16,000+ cases treated)
She only panics on night flights. The reason has nothing to do with aviation - and everything to do with childhood trauma.
She only panics on night flights. Especially when there are no windows and everyone else is asleep.
During therapy, the memories came back.
She was sexually abused at a scouts camp in a dark storehouse with no windows. Later, she was forced to sleep in the room where her grandfather had just died. She had nightmares all night, but everyone was sleeping. She felt too ashamed to wake anyone up for help.
Now, on night flights, her nervous system screams the same message: "Dark. No windows. Everyone sleeping. No one will help. DANGER."
She still flies, but only during the day. Why does she fly at all if it terrifies her? Shame. The same shame that kept her silent as a child keeps her compliant as an adult.
This is what unprocessed trauma looks like. It doesn't fade with time. It just waits for the right trigger.
Her fear has nothing to do with aviation. It has everything to do with a night she couldn't escape decades ago.
In Short
She only panics on night flights. The reason has nothing to do with aviation - and everything to do with childhood trauma.
Trained in psychology and trauma therapy (EMDR, Somatic Experiencing)
Founder of phobia.aero & SkyGuru App
With over three decades of aviation experience and 16,000 successful case studies, Alex Gervash is a distinguished psychology and trauma therapy specialist dedicated to resolving flying phobia. As the founder of phobia.aero, Alex bridges the gap between technical flight dynamics and the autonomic nervous system to help passengers overcome flight panic and persistent takeoff anxiety. His unique methodology utilizes EMDR therapy and polyvagal theory to deconstruct airplane phobia, addressing the root causes of aviation anxiety and specific triggers like landing fear. By integrating Somatic Experiencing into his protocols, Alex provides a comprehensive path for those tethered to the ground by a fear of flying to finally reclaim the skies.
