The Lasting Impact of In-Flight Trauma: Navigating Anxiety After Flight Emergencies
In January, Shandy Brewer boarded an Alaska Airlines flight from Portland, Oregon, to Ontario, California. She was on her way to her grandmother’s birthday celebration. Brewer sat in the eleventh row, between her father and a stranger. Shortly after takeoff, a loud noise startled the passengers. Fifteen rows behind her, one of the plane’s doors flew open, exposing passengers to the outside at 16,000 feet.
Oxygen masks dropped from the ceiling. Passengers began to pray, fearing the plane would crash. When the aircraft made an emergency landing in Oregon, Brewer clung to her father with one arm and to the stranger with the other, wishing she could record a video to say goodbye to her mother.
Nearly 11 months later, Brewer, now 30, still feels the mental trauma from those 20 minutes of terror. She said, “People say, ‘No one died on this flight,’ but we could have died.” She sees a therapist and practices breathing exercises but still has occasional nightmares of being in a doorless helicopter, hanging on for dear life. Loud noises make her anxious, and the sound of fireworks on July 4th caused her to feel “extreme panic.”
Brewer expressed, “There’s a cloud over me all the time reminding me I could die at any moment.”
Discussing aviation fears, people are often reassured about the safety of flying. A 2022 analysis by the National Academies of Sciences reported significant improvements in air travel safety over the past two decades. It stated that the risk of accidents had decreased more than forty times.
Yet, statistics do little to calm minds that replay traumatic events, especially as alarming emergencies still make headlines. Psychologist Rebecca B. Skolnick noted that many people develop significant anxiety after such incidents. She explained, “It becomes not just something that happened, but something that shapes their view of the world and flying.”
Brewer and over 30 other passengers from the Alaska Airlines flight sued the airline and Boeing. They claimed “severe stress, anxiety, trauma, physical pain, memories, and fear of flying,” along with physical manifestations like insomnia and post-traumatic stress disorder. One plaintiff texted her mother, believing the plane was crashing: “We have masks. I love you.”
The airline industry faced scrutiny last year over various safety issues, including planes veering off runways and hydraulic leaks. In May, a Singapore Airlines flight encountered severe turbulence, resulting in one death and 83 injuries. In July, another flight from Spain to Uruguay hospitalized 40 passengers due to turbulence.
While severe turbulence requiring hospitalization is rare, research suggests that climate change may worsen turbulence due to increased CO2 levels. A 2023 study indicated a 55% rise in severe turbulence from 1979 to 2020.
In March, a plane’s engine caught fire while flying from Houston to Fort Myers, Florida. The aircraft landed without incident, but Dorian Cerda, a passenger near the window, felt the heat. During the ordeal, he recorded a video for his wife and young children, fearing for his life.
Cerda stated the incident haunts him. He has become more reckless about flying, worried about another occurrence. “I’ve been on five planes, and one of them caught fire. My odds are 20 percent. I wouldn’t risk my life with those odds. I made it, but my life is affected.”
Martin Seif, a psychologist specializing in flight anxiety, noted many people fear things that may happen, even when logic says otherwise. “There is no difference between feeling anxious and feeling real danger,” he explained. This mental state can elevate anxiety thoughts.
Dr. Skolnick added that avoiding flying reinforces fear, teaching the brain that flying is dangerous. For some, even packing a suitcase can trigger anxiety.
What are some common coping strategies for passengers dealing with anxiety after an in-flight emergency?
To process these events and get back to flying.”
Interview with Psychologist Rebecca B. Skolnick on the Psychological Impact of In-Flight Emergencies
News Directory 3: Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Skolnick. Given the harrowing experience of Shandy Brewer and other passengers during the Alaska Airlines flight incident, how common is it for individuals to experience mental trauma after such events?
Rebecca B. Skolnick: Thank you for having me. It’s quite common for passengers involved in in-flight emergencies to develop mental health issues. In fact, many may experience symptoms consistent with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or severe anxiety, particularly if they feel their lives were in danger. The incident becomes a pivotal moment in their life, shaping not only their perspectives on flying but also how they perceive safety in general.
News Directory 3: What kinds of symptoms are most typical for individuals experiencing this type of trauma?
Rebecca B. Skolnick: Symptoms can vary widely from person to person but may include recurrent nightmares, intrusive thoughts about the event, hyper-vigilance, avoidance behaviors, and emotional numbing. Many may also encounter physical symptoms, such as panic attacks. Issues like insomnia and heightened anxiety in response to loud noises or other reminders of the traumatic event are also quite common.
News Directory 3: In the case of Shandy Brewer, she mentioned feeling anxious when hearing loud noises, particularly on July 4th. Why do you think these triggers surface, and how can they be managed?
Rebecca B. Skolnick: Triggers can be deeply embedded in the psyche, especially after a traumatic experience. Loud noises may evoke memories of the initial incident, causing heightened anxiety. Managing these triggers typically involves a combination of therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy, along with grounding techniques like mindfulness and breathing exercises. These strategies can help individuals reframe their thoughts and lessen the emotional response to triggers over time.
News Directory 3: You also mentioned the importance of addressing avoidance behaviors. Can you elaborate on that?
Rebecca B. Skolnick: Absolutely. While avoiding flying may seem like a logical response to fear, this can reinforce the trauma and perpetuate the cycle of anxiety. It sends a message to the brain that flying is indeed dangerous. Gradual exposure to flying, even through visualization techniques or attending support groups, can help diminish anxiety in a controlled and supportive environment.
News Directory 3: There appear to be gaps in how the airline industry addresses passenger mental health after emergencies. What improvements do you think should be made?
Rebecca B. Skolnick: There is definitely a need for better support systems for passengers following traumatic incidents on flights. Airlines could benefit from implementing mental health protocols, such as offering immediate psychological support after an incident, being proactive about passenger mental well-being, and creating resources that passengers can access after a traumatic experience. This should be part of the overall commitment to passenger safety.
News Directory 3: Lastly, how should individuals cope with their experiences while also trying to live a normal life?
Rebecca B. Skolnick: Seeking professional help is key. Talking to a therapist who specializes in trauma can provide individualized coping strategies. Joining support groups with others who have had similar experiences can also be beneficial. It’s vital to give oneself grace and recognize that healing takes time. Engaging in self-care practices and educating oneself about trauma responses can help individuals regain a sense of control over their lives and manage their fears effectively.
News Directory 3: Thank you, Dr. Skolnick, for your thoughtful insights on this crucial issue. It is essential for both passengers and the airline industry to recognize and address the psychological aftermath of flying experiences.
Rebecca B. Skolnick: Thank you for shining a light on this topic. Awareness is the first step toward positive change and healing.
Research shows traumatic airplane experiences can impact mental health, particularly for airline accident survivors. A 2016 study found that 47% of participants who survived crashes faced a risk of PTSD, while 35% were at risk for depression nine months later. A 2013 study showed that 78% exhibited emotional symptoms like hyper-vigilance and sleep difficulties.
The effects on passengers who experience in-flight emergencies but do not crash remain underexplored and unrecognized. After Cerda’s engine fire, the airline offered him a $15 meal voucher.
Neither the FAA nor the National Transportation Safety Board has policies regarding passenger mental health post-emergency. Mina Kaji from the FAA stated the “top priority” is promoting aviation safety.
Eileen Rodríguez, a flight attendant for 38 years, emphasized that flight crew experience similar trauma to passengers. After a serious incident, she connects with affected crew members to offer support. “We live through horrible situations,” she said. “It can take time and support to overcome them.”
Rodríguez recalled a turbulent flight that resulted in her injury. After physical recovery, she faced a landing emergency. She took six months off for therapy to overcome her fear of flying. She noted that support for critical incidents today would have greatly helped her.
Heather Healy, director of the Association of Flight Attendants’ employee assistance program, stated flight attendants are not immune to emotional trauma. Repeated traumatic events, she explained, can worsen mental health just like for anyone else.
While emergency workers often have alternate environments to regain resilience, flight attendants lack similar protocols. “It’s about getting back on the plane or not,” Healy said.
For some, trauma lasts for years. Emma Lazaroff experienced a flight from Boston to Chicago in 2016 that left her terrified. The plane lost power, leading to chaos and panic among passengers, but it landed safely. Lazaroff has since suffered panic attacks, flashbacks, and insomnia, now diagnosed with PTSD that requires medication for flying.
Jacob Morton, 35, vividly recalls a 2016 flight where he heard what sounded like an explosion. Although he correctly guessed the plane hit a bird, panic set in when the engine failed and smoke filled the cabin. “Since then, I grip my seat tightly at every takeoff,” he reported.
Marna Gatlin, 61, shared her flying history. After a dangerous incident and the September 11 attacks, she sought therapy to combat her fears. Despite various treatments, including hypnosis, she still struggles with anxiety. She now takes Ativan before flights and practices breathing exercises onboard.
Gatlin expressed, “I wish I could say I improved much, but I haven’t.” She flies occasionally but continues to feel emotionally drained from the experience. “That’s the nature of the beast,” she said.