A Fear of the Sky|飞行恐惧症

A Fear of the Sky

by William Ryan

Many people are affected by aerophobia.

　　Despite a number of well-publicized airplane crashes, flying is still much safer than driving or taking the bus. Some blame the media for creating the false impression that flying is more dangerous. Critics claim that by over-sensationalizing these unfortunate incidents, the media obscure the fact that air traffic safety is continually improving. In fact, commercial airlines remain _(1)_ mode of transportation by far. Still, some people are terrified to fly and suffer from aerophobia, which is an _(2)_ fear of flying. This disorder _(3)_ a surprising number of people from all walks of life. Recently, NBA rookie Royce White of the Houston Rockets revealed that he was afraid to fly and planned to take a bus _(4)_ possible to games. Unfortunately, his plan didn't work out, and he is causing a lot of trouble for the team.

　　Fortunately, effective treatment is available and usually does not require medication. According to Dr. Todd Farchione, a psychologist at Boston University's Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders, 80 percent of those treated respond _(5)_. Treatment focuses first on identifying and challenging the patient's fear-provoking thoughts. The next step is gradually to get the person to _(6)_ the fear by having them imagine they are flying and then finally having them do it. Many programs use flight simulators with video screens that look like windows and show the ground and various airports. According to Caitlin Condon of Cambridge, Massachusetts, information was the key _(7)_ her recovery. She did her own research and found that was good enough to eliminate her fear. Now she flies anytime she wants.

1. (A) the safest    (B) safer    (C) much safer     (D) much too safe

2. (A) outgoing      (B) irrational    (C) extravagant    (D) indignant

3. (A) exceeds (B) lessens     (C) indulges    (D) afflicts

4. (A) whichever   (B) whatever   (C) whenever  (D) whoever

5. (A) compassionately     (B) favorably   (C) contemporarily      (D) dreadfully

6. (A) qualify   (B) update (C) confront    (D) strain

7. (A) as    (B) on  (C) in   (D) to

飞行恐惧症

许多人都深受飞行恐惧症影响。

　　尽管有多起飞机失事案件被大肆报导，但飞行仍然比开车或搭公交车安全多了。有些人责怪媒体制造飞行比较危险的不实印象。批评者声称，藉由过度渲染这些不幸的事件，媒体模糊了航空安全持续在改善的事实。事实上，商务航空公司到目前为止一直是最最安全的交通方式。不过，仍然有些人害怕飞行，并饱受飞行恐惧症之苦，那是一种对于飞行非理性的恐惧。社会各阶层的人都受到这种失调症状折磨。近来，NBA 休斯敦火箭队的新人洛伊斯‧怀特便透露他很害怕飞行，而且计划能随时尽量搭公交车去比赛。不幸的是，他的计划并没有成真，而且他也造成了球队很多麻烦。

　　幸运的是，现在已经有有效的治疗方法，而且通常不需要采用药物。根据来自波士顿大学焦虑症及相关疾病研究中心的心理学家 Todd Farchione 博士所言，百分之八十接受治疗的病患都反应良好。疗程起初着重于发现并挑战唤起病人恐惧的念头。下一个步骤是藉由让他们想象自己在飞行，逐渐地让病人面对恐惧，最后真的要他们那么做。许多计划使用飞行仿真训练装置，那有看似窗户的影像屏幕播放地面和各种机场的画面。根据来自麻萨诸塞州剑桥的凯特琳‧康顿，信息是她复原的关键。她自己做功课并发现那好到足以消灭她的恐惧。现在她随时想飞就飞。

答案： 1.   A   2.   B   3.   D   4.   C   5.   B

      6.   C   7.   D

 

　　关于飞行恐惧症的研究并不算多，当中比较重要的是 1980 年由波音公司做的 1 项研究，该报告指出每 6 名美国成年人当中就有 1 人患有飞行恐惧症，显示这个问题相当普遍。除了本文中提及的 NBA 选手洛伊斯‧怀特，还有身为科幻小说大师和机械人三大定律创始者的艾西‧莫夫以及知名导演库柏力克都是飞行恐惧症的患者。

　　不少人会认为，恐惧乘坐飞机的人想必认为飞行十分危险。但根据波音的研究，其实飞行恐惧症的患者当中，只有百分之六认为乘坐飞机十分危险。绝大部份飞行恐惧症患者在理智上都明白乘坐飞机是低风险的活动，但情感上依然得不到安全感，可谓一种非理性的恐惧。

（数据源：CABLE V）