Acrophobia, more commonly known as the fear of heights, according to some research, is one of the most predominant phobias in the world. Upto one in twenty people suffer from this disorder, an older study states. This fear can cause a lot of anxiety, panic and distress which is strong enough to disrupt a person’s daily functioning.
Anyone suffering from this phobia would try to avoid places at high altitudes. The differentiator between a normal discomfort felt at height altitudes and acrophobia is the intense panic and anxiety that it comes with which prompts avoidance-based behaviours in the person suffering from it. People with acrophobia thus tend to refuse going out into the balcony of a place, stepping onto a ladder, an airplane, etc. Acrophobia, like most other phobias, is a very limiting disorder as it makes people restrict the places they could go to, and the opportunities they could have in life.
The first step to learning how to overcome the fear of heights is understanding it fully. Read on further to find out more about acrophobia and its symptoms, causes, treatment and diagnosis.
Acrophobia refers to the intense irrational fear of heights. Even the thought of a high place can cause a lot of anxiety and, in some cases, even a full blown panic attack episode.
Acrophobia falls under the category of specific phobias. The DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Specific Manual of Mental Disorders) this phobia of heights as a natural environment type of phobia.
The major symptom experienced in this disorder is the feeling of intense anxiety and panic associated with heights. Extreme heights may trigger this fear for some people, while for others, any kind of height can lead to the onset of anxiety episodes and other symptoms.
The symptoms can mainly be categorized into two categories, physical and psychological. They are as follows:
People can also experience a full blown panic attack when exposed to their triggers when they have a specific phobia. For acrophobia, too, this is the case. Following are the symptoms of a panic attack:
Acrophobia, in most cases, develops when a person goes through a traumatic experience which involves heights, for example; falling from a high place, witnessing someone else fall from a high place, or having a panic attack or any other negative experience while in a high place.
However, acrophobia can also develop without any known cause. Some risk factors are there which increase the likelihood of someone developing this disorder. They are either environment or genetics related. For instance, if someone in your family has a history of phobias or acrophobia, then you’re more likely to develop this phobia. Moreover, it can also be a learned response picked up from a role model.
Another theory, called evolved navigation theory, suggests that certain human processes like the perception of height have been adapted due to natural selection. Some people perceive objects as taller which reduces their risk for dangerous falls.
For diagnosis, you should approach a mental health professional as only they can diagnose phobias. You can approach one with the referral of a healthcare provider.
Some medical causes, firstly, need to be ruled out with a physical examination which is a part of the diagnosis. Then, by some other means and some psychological tests, your mental health care provider would mainly try to confirm the following:
The treatment of all phobias, like acrophobia, can involve therapeutic techniques, medication, or a combination of both.
Therapies can be of different types depending on the signs and symptoms and their severity of the client. Some of the therapeutic interventions used for treating phobias include eye movement desensitization reprocessing therapy (EMDR) which is based on some concepts of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) which is also used for treating phobias, systematic desensitization, and exposure therapy among others.
Medication for phobias includes antidepressants, and anti-anxiety medication to reduce the emotional and physical reactions of fear.
If your condition has begun to interfere with your daily functioning and is negatively affecting most or all aspects of your life, seeking help is a crucial step that you must take. Even though it may be difficult to gather the courage to do so, you must see a mental health professional for your phobia(s). Remember that mental health disorders can be treated and are manageable, and your life has the potential to be the most fruitful, wholesome and enjoyable experience. So, joining a support group, going for therapy and taking your prescribed medication (if any) is absolutely critical. The outcome that you’d gain would be a deeper understanding of yourself and your condition, the ability to form better relationships and find more meaningful connections, and skills that help you manage your condition and excel in life.
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