Aviophobia and its relationship to stress and epileptic-like symptoms: a narrative review

Travel by air and global mobility have become essential for an increasing number of people and, in many cases, may cause anxiety symptoms of aviophobia. Although variations exist in estimates of aviophobia prevalence, undeniably large numbers of people suffer consequences that influence their work and personal lives. Despite the existence of effective treatments, a high prevalence, above and below the clinical threshold, plus diagnostic difficulties may complicate therapeutic options for treating aviophobia. Based on current evidence, this article provides an overview of recent findings and future research and treatment perspectives, including novel findings indicating that certain stressful aviophobia experiences may be linked to temporal and limbic epileptiform activity, which may produce epileptic-like symptoms.