Overcoming An Overwhelming Fear Of Flying

Many people hate to fly, but most of us put it up with it because when we have to travel or want to travel, what choice do we have? And yet, for many people it can be truly unsettling.

Millions of people have a real, even debilitating, fear of flying. Estimates range from 7 to nearly 40 percent of Americans suffer from fear of flying. And their ranks have only grown since 9/11. Some people drink, undergo hypnosis, or take a range of anti-anxiety drugs to help them get on a plane, while others avoid flying altogether.

Carey Goldberg, co-host of WBUR's Commonhealth blog

Rachel Zimmerman, co-host of WBUR's Commonhealth blog

Luana Marques, director of Psychotherapy Research and Training Program at the Center for Anxiety and Traumatic Stress Disorders at Massachusetts General Hospital. She is also author of the forthcoming book, "Almost Anxious: Is My (or My Loved One's) Worry or Distress a Problem?"

Commonhealth: High anxiety: How I (sort of) overcame my fear of flying