Treatment of Aviation Phobias by Behaviour Therapy

¹ Wing Commander, Specialist in Neuropsychiatry, R.A.F. Hospital, Wroughton; Consultant Psychiatrist, St. Andrew's Hospital, Northampton, NN1 5DG

Six experienced aviators, incapacitated by anxiety related to flying were treated by behaviour therapy (controlled relaxation and systematic desensitization). Five returned to full flying duties and have remained symptom-free for over three years; the sixth returned to limited flying duties.

Flying Anxiety rating scales, MPI and MMPI were completed by the patients before and after treatment. These measures were compared with normal aircrew means. The rating scales reflected the specific areas of anxiety, with scores significantly raised before treatment and reverting to the normal means after treatment. Compared with relevant controls, the MPI `N' scores were elevated and `E' scores depressed before treatment; after treatment both reverted to the normal aircrew means. These changes were singificant. The MMPI pretreatment scores were raised on most scales and reverted to the normal aircrew means after treatment.

The therapeutic method and the psychological measures are discussed. It is emphasized that apprehension of loss of ability to consciously suppress fear is an important source of anxiety amenable to correction by re-education.