A British woman has overcome her long-standing fear of flying by finding solace in the music of popular K-pop group BTS. Debbie Adamson, a 67-year-old resident of Southampton, Hampshire, battled with a debilitating phobia of air travel for nearly two decades, stemming from a traumatic experience on her first flight.
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Adamson remembers that fateful journey from Budapest, which left her feeling terrified and convinced that every flight was destined for disaster. She detailed her plight, stating, “It wasn’t anything to be ashamed of, I couldn’t help it. But I hadn’t allowed my mind the freedom to confront this fear logically.”
Her struggles intensified in 2006 during a family trip to Orlando, Florida. Desperate to avoid the flight, she attempted to sabotage her travel plans by hiding her passport. Despite her best efforts, airport staff issued her a replacement ticket, and she spent the next three hours on the plane in tears.
By 2008, Adamson resolved to avoid flying altogether, opting to quit for a full 17 years. Her anxiety, known as aerophobia, made any thought of air travel unbearable, forcing her to decline opportunities to explore new destinations with her family.
A turning point came last year when a friend, a pilot, helped her understand the mechanics of flight, allowing her fears to ease slightly. Gradually, Adamson sought support from a Facebook group for fellow travellers facing similar challenges. Inspired by her desire to celebrate her 40th wedding anniversary, she decided to confront her fears head-on and booked a trip to Santorini, Greece.
Before embarking on this journey, she took a “test run” back to Orlando, which surprisingly turned into a positive experience. Adamson attributes much of her newfound confidence to the music of BTS, the K-pop sensation comprising RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook. She created a dedicated playlist of her favourite tracks to help soothe her during the flight.
As the plane took off, Adamson closed her eyes tightly and clutched the armrest. Remarkably, she found that the music allowed her to rationalise her situation, stating, “It just proved to myself that I gave myself permission not to be frightened anymore.”
Reflecting on her previous experiences, she recalled that on past flights, she would inform the flight attendants about her terror, often causing concern for those around her. Her husband, who endured countless flights alongside her, would emerge with bruises from her vice-like grip on his arm.
“It’s just abject terror,” Adamson expressed, describing her anxiety during periods of turbulence. Unable to eat or drink, her fear left her feeling physically unwell after each flight.
Now, with her fears managed but not entirely gone, Adamson hopes her story will encourage others grappling with similar phobias. “I’d never say I’m cured,” she admitted. “But I have that self-awareness to think, ‘I’m going to give myself permission to not be frightened.’”
She wishes to remind others that it is normal to confront fears and that understanding them can help diminish their power. Adamson feels empowered as she looks ahead to future travel plans, boosted by the soothing melodies of her favourite band and her newfound determination.
In sharing her journey, Debbie Adamson has turned her initial struggles into a source of inspiration, proving that with the right mindset and support, it is possible to conquer one’s fears and embrace new adventures.