What is acrophobia?

Acrophobia occurs when a person goes to high places with a feeling of anxiety and panic.

Things to know about acrophobia

In people with acrophobia, crossing a bridge or even seeing a photo of a mountain and the surrounding valley can cause fear and anxiety that can seriously affect their lives.

Symptom

The main symptom is an extreme fear of heights, manifested by panic and anxiety. Some people only experience this feeling when they are in very high places, while others are afraid of any height, including climbing small ladders or sitting on high chairs.

Some people only get this feeling when they are at a very high place.

Other symptoms may include:

• Increased sweating, chest pain or tightness, increased heart rate when seeing or thinking about high places.
• Feeling nauseous or dizzy at the sight or thought of heights.
• Very afraid of being stuck somewhere high up.
• Trembling in the face of heights.
• Dizziness or feeling like you are falling, losing your balance when looking up at a high place or looking down from above.
• Try to avoid high places.

Reason

Acrophobia sometimes develops as a result of a traumatic experience involving heights, such as falling from a great height, witnessing someone else fall from a great height, having a panic attack, or other negative experience while at great heights.

Phobias, including acrophobia, can also develop for no apparent reason, often due to genetic or environmental factors. For example, you may be more likely to have a fear of heights if someone else in your family has the condition.

Diagnose

Psychiatrists may ask patients to describe symptoms when faced with altitude sickness to make a diagnosis.

Treatment

Exposure therapy

Exposure therapy is considered one of the most effective treatments for specific phobias. In this type of therapy, people learn to face their fears by looking at photographs or videos of people crossing ropes, climbing ropes, or walking across tall buildings.

Once psychologically familiarized, the patient can go to the balcony or stairs to learn relaxation techniques to help conquer fear.

Cognitive behavioral therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy may be helpful for people who do not feel ready to try exposure therapy. The therapist teaches the person how to reframe negative thoughts about heights.

Medicine

There is no medication that can cure phobias. Some medications can help reduce symptoms of panic and anxiety, such as beta blockers, tranquilizers, etc.

Virtual Reality Experience

Instead of overcoming real fears in places with heights such as buildings or stairs, patients can experience virtual reality (VR) on a computer screen, in a safe setting. The application of computer software allows people to choose to stop immediately if they feel the experience is too unbearable, with little impact on life.