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How To Deal With Acrophobia

By on April 13, 2022

How To Deal With Acrophobia

Some people have a fear of height. At the height, they feel dizzy and have a feeling that everything down is moving when they look down. This condition is acrophobia.

How To Deal With Acrophobia

How To Deal With Acrophobia

Do you have fear of heights and wondering how to overcome it?

Don’t you want to understand the cause behind? In this article we will help you to find if you have acrophobia and also give you tips to handle it

Most of us get bit worried when are at height. It is normal and natural but those who have acrophobia may find that even low heights cause them to panic.

What Is Phobia of Heights?

Many adults have a phobia. A phobia is an extremely debilitating and overwhelming fear not letting you snap out of it and continues throughout the day. A phobia is much pronounced than general fear. It is exaggerated and unrealistic sense of danger.

Often, phobias of height is so debilitating that even prospect of climbing a ladder may fill you with anticipation and anxiety.

If acrophobia becomes severe, patient starts organizing their life so as to avoid situations where they need to be at a height. This is not at all easy so to live a normal life without your fear of heights getting in the way you need help.

Symptoms of Acrophobia

To remove any confusion regarding whether you just have a dislike of heights or you are actually suffering from phobia below are the associated symptoms associated:

  • Sense of unreality
  • Catch breath when at height
  • Rapid breathing
  • Irregular or increased heart rate
  • Sweating
  • Trembling
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Fear of death or injury or death
  • Always thinking of avoiding height
  • Panic attacks at a height. This is dangerous as the patient may fall or even injure themselves.

What Are There Other Kinds of Phobia

Besides fear of heights, there are other phobias such as:

  • Aerophobia. Intense fear of flying or being in air.
  • Bathmophobia – Intense fear of observing stairs and slopes.
  • Climacophobia. Intense fear of going climbing or going downstairs.
  • Illyngophobia – Intense fear of feeling dizzy at height (vertigo)

Risk factors for acrophobia?

The exact cause of acrophobia is unkonwn. However, following risk factors can include:

  • Falling from a significant height
  • Watching someone fall from a significant height.
  • Experiencing a negative eventwhile in a high place.
  • Family history of anxiety disorders.

How to Handle Acrophobia

If you have acrophobia then even climbing a few steps up on stairs or ladder may give you distress. If you find yourself getting messed up in this situation follow the steps discussed below to handle it.

Exposure therapy –

It is one of the most common psychological treatment to treat specific phobias. Therapists use exposure therapy for those having phobia to  encourage them to encounter situations that make them anxious, so that they to stay and cope.

Virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET):

Virtual reality exposure therapy is psychological treatment that show the person realistic — but fake — situations with the help of modern technology to help them cope with anxiety-inducing situations.

CBT –

CBT is a psychological treatment in which through talking  your therapist helps you gain a different perspective. You with time learn to respond better and cope with the  anxiety.

In some cases, the patient may be given medications such as beta-blockers and relaxants.

Self-care if suffering from acrophobia?

If you are in a significant high place do the following actions Fixing your view/sight on the horizon.

  • Look at stationary objects nearby.
  • Sit or laydown.
  • Pause or stop movement.
  • Do cognitive distractions

If you have been diagnosed with acrophobia, do following tomanage your symptoms:

  • Get enough sleep
  • Regular visits to your therapist.
  • Practising mediation.
  • Practising relaxation techniques

All above, if you suffer from acrophobia reach out to family and friends for support else join support groups

Dr. Ritu Kumari Gupta
Dr. Ritu Kumari Gupta:  Professionally a homeopathic doctor and a dietician Dr. Ritu Kumari Gupta is passionate about writing health and parenting blogs. She believes in holistic approach towards health and well being.
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