My Chosen Fears

Fear of Flying

Fear of flying is common. Your own doctor can prescribe mild tranquiliser which can often assist the nervous flyer to overcome the anxiety associated with air travel. A number of organisations run special one day courses designed to reassure the apprehensive passenger and make the thought and act of flying a pleasant experience.

British Airways supports the course run by AVIATORS which includes a short flight of approximately one hour, conducted by a highly experienced BA training captain, following preparation by an eminent clinical psychologist.

As part of the ‘Aviators’ course I could create a box that the passenger can take on the hour flight to further help them overcome their fear of flying. Afterwards if they wish to do so, they can also use the box on real plane journeys so they can be comforted and content when facing their fear.

Fear of needles

Some people develop this fear as a result of a previous bad experience, for example it taking more than one attempt to find the vein. Others may have seen or read about injections or having blood tests and may have not fully understood what happens. It can also develop if negative feelings are picked up from someone else, such as a friend, brother or sister, or parent.

The PLAY SPECIALISTS of GOSH have a number of different ideas of how to tackle the problem. They have years of experience in preparing children for hospital tests, operations and procedures.

I could create a box that would distract children when they have vaccinations at school to make the experience more pleasant for them.

Fear of the dark

Children only start to be afraid of the dark from the age of about two when they start to understand the concept of fear, and their imagination develops sufficiently to picture the monsters under their bed.
A nightlight may be the perfect solution, but if they insist on keeping it light on, it may be more suitable installing a dimmer switch which can gradually be dimmed over time. It is important the child is able to get used to falling asleep with household noises. If the child is terrified of the dark, it is advised to tell them that it is very usual for people to be scared and then a safe night light can be installed.

I could use this opportunity to design a night light which can help children overcome their fear of the dark. It will need to be one that will gradually become dimmer as the night goes by to save energy and effort.