What is fear of heights?
Fear of heights (also known as acrophobia) refers to the fear of being a certain distance from the ground. Depending on how pronounced the fear is, it may already occur when climbing a ladder. Fear of heights is one of the specific phobias – these are anxiety disorders that are limited to very specific situations or objects.
Fear of heights is not a rare phenomenon. Many people get weak knees when they look down from a height. A certain degree of respect for heights is innate and a natural protection. Even babies have a natural fear of precipices. In experiments, even toddlers hesitate in front of a precipice, even though there is a glass plate above it and it is possible for them to crawl over it without danger.
From an evolutionary perspective, fear of heights ensures our survival. In some people, however, the fear of heights is so strong that they are not even able to walk or drive over a bridge. If the fear is unjustifiably strong and this restricts the quality of life of those affected, the fear of heights is pathological.
How does a fear of heights manifest itself?
Physical and psychological symptoms occur in the feared situation. Typical physical signs of specific phobias include
- Difficulty breathing
- sweating
- trembling
- palpitations
- Feeling of tightness in the chest
- Dry mouth
Psychological signs include anxiety-filled thoughts and even fear of death. Those affected fear losing their balance and falling. Many also describe the feeling of being pulled down.
Fear of heights occurs during sport climbing, for example. In addition to fear of heights, those affected may also suffer from fear of falling or fear of falling. In this context, fear of falling means that people are afraid of falling off the wall when sport climbing. With fear of falling, climbers are afraid of a painful impact after falling.
How do you overcome a fear of heights?
Specific phobias are treated psychotherapeutically. Experts primarily recommend exposure therapy as part of cognitive behavioral therapy. In order to overcome the fear of heights, those affected face their fears in this way.
The therapist also instructs the sufferer on how to deal with an anxiety attack – for example, how to calm themselves down with the help of breathing exercises. Through repeated confrontation with the frightening situation, it is possible to overcome the fear of heights.
In extreme cases, doctors may use medication to combat the fear of heights.
Behavioral therapy has a good chance of success. However, many sufferers wait a very long time before seeking help and avoid heights instead. Avoidance, however, causes the fear to increase. People with a severe fear of heights are then no longer even able to climb the second step of a ladder to replace a light bulb, for example.
The fear then dominates their lives. Some try to calm themselves down with alcohol, drugs or medication. Together with a therapist, it is possible to interrupt this downward spiral and overcome acrophobia. The earlier you start treating your fear of heights, the better your chances of leading a fear-free life.
What is the cause of fear of heights?
Sometimes a fear of heights can be traced back to a specific fear-inducing event, such as climbing a dangerous ladder or walking along a narrow path near a precipice.
At the same time, the brain receives the message from the feet that you are standing firmly. These contradictory signals cause dizziness. This dizziness signals a potential danger, such as a precipice.
