Contents
Fear of heights, otherwise known as acrophobia, is the fear of being at a high altitude and of falling. It only applies to actually being many meters above sea level, so the person suffering from it does not feel discomfort, for example, playing computer games. Depending on the case, acrophobia may appear, for example, before a bungee jump or even before entering the upper floor of the building.
Symptoms of fear of heights
Fear of heights often accompanied by panic attacks, causing the person suffering from it to “grow into the ground” or, on the contrary, to become extremely expressive. Acrophobia is classified as a specific phobia, and the name itself comes from the combination of two words found in Greek: akos – peak, vertex and phobos – fear. However, while fear is the body’s natural defensive reaction at times of exposure to danger, a phobia is fear that arises in objectively harmless situations, intensified to the point of somatic symptoms (increased heart rate, paleness, dizziness, sweating) and negatively affects the overall functioning of the individual. Fear of heights it is quite a “popular” phobia – it can be found in up to 5% of the population, and it is more common in women.
Reasons for fear of heights
The current state of science does not allow for the exact determination of the causes acrophobia, however, is inclined to some theories. The most common of these is recognition fear of heights as a result of childhood traumas (for example, falling from a tree). An interesting theory is also the one that claims that acrophobiaand we learn from our loved ones. This hypothesis was put forward on the basis of observations, thanks to which it was found that in children of people suffering from this phobia, fear of heights it appeared more often than in those whose parents did not show acrophobia. According to this hypothesis, anxiety develops when a child sees that his parent is displaying a panicky fear of being at high altitude. Another theory that exists in the world of science is the suspicion that such fears were originally intended to protect people from extinction. In this case, the tendency to acrophobia would be stored in DNA. The lie, however, seems to suggest that most people do not feel such fear.
How to overcome the fear of heights?
People suffering from fear of heights may try to apply exposure therapy. It is a system based on the gradual exposure of the patient to the anxiety stimulus – in this situation at significant heights. The goal of such therapy is desensitization, thanks to which being at high altitude ceases to arouse fear in the patient. Due to technical problems in performing this type of adaptation, virtual reality is often used for this purpose. With its help, it is possible to use simulations such as being at the top of a peak, which in an urban environment would be quite difficult to implement. Exposure therapy however, it is not the only treatment option acrophobia. Another one is psychotherapy, especially cognitive behavioral therapy. There are cases of recommending pharmacotherapy, but they are extremely rare, and the pharmacotherapy itself is used mainly as an auxiliary. In severely severe patients fear of heights mainly antidepressants are used, sometimes benzodiazepines, and somatic symptoms are sometimes alleviated with beta-blockers.
However, it is not always possible to visit a specialist, so it is worth knowing how to deal with yourself acrophobia (these are ad hoc solutions, they will not replace medical consultations, but may help in waiting for them).
How Can I Deal With Fear of Heights?
At acrophobia the following solutions may help:
- holding onto handrails or balustrades when staying at a high altitude – this behavior will slightly reduce the level of anxiety and help to calm down,
- using the small steps method – initially you should look out the window of a low building, and then go out to a slightly higher balcony; the last step is to look down from a tall skyscraper,
- exercises consisting in climbing ladders (each step up a step), trees or swinging on a swing,
- a conversation with loved ones, which will not only make them aware of the existence and importance of the problem, but also may become helpful in finding the causes of the fear of heights on their own.
Fighting the fear of heights takes time, therefore, shock treatments such as bungee jumping or balloon rides are discouraged. The best solution is to visit a psychologist or psychiatrist, but if the problem seems to be less severe, it does not hurt to try the above solutions.