Phobia of heights (acrophobia), this is a symptom and how to overcome it

It is normal to have a fear of falling while at high altitudes, especially if there is no security. But what about the fear that arises in excess when you are at high altitude, even when you are in a safe place? Maybe you have a mental illness called acrophobia . For more details, see the following explanation.

What is that acrophobia ?

Phobia or fear of heights which is also known as acrophobia is one of the most common types of phobias. Even though many people feel scared when they are in high places, it's people who have phobia altitude will feel restless, anxious, to panic when at an altitude.

The human body does have natural defenses against danger, such as jumping off cliffs or driving over narrow, high bridges. This will turn into a problem, if the fear instinct that arises naturally turns into paranoia or abnormal fear.

This excessive fear can be both beneficial and detrimental. This fear is beneficial because it prevents us from doing harmful things.

However, people who have anxiety disorders in the form of phobia altitude will experience extreme panic or anxiety. Phobia altitude can be cured with therapy, but before that let us know some of the symptoms of phobia or an excessive fear of heights.

Symptoms that appear when experiencing phobia height

When experiencing acrophobia or a disease of fear of heights, there are several symptoms that you may experience, some of which are:

• Sweat more than usual.
• Chest pain or tightness in the chest.
• Heart pounding, even thinking only about the high place.
• Nausea and dizziness when at high altitudes.
• The body shakes when it is at an altitude.
• Headaches and it feels like you lose your balance when you are at high altitude.
• Try as much as possible to avoid heights, even though you have to struggle with your daily activities.

Meanwhile, there are also psychological symptoms that may arise, such as the following:

• Suddenly having a panic attack when looking at, thinking about, or being at high altitude.
• Have extreme fear when at high altitudes.
• Feeling anxious and afraid even just climbing stairs or looking out of the window from an elevated room.
• Feeling excessively worried even if you only think about dealing with heights at a later date.

Cause of appearance phobia at a height

As with other types of phobias, phobia altitude can also be caused by trauma from a bitter experience in the past. Usually, these experiences are related to altitude, such as:

• Have the experience of falling from a high place.
• Watching other people fall from a height.
• Experiencing panic attacks while at high altitudes.

Even so, a phobia of heights can also occur without an underlying cause. It could be that this condition is influenced by genetic factors and the environment around it. This means that if there are family members who have a fear of heights, your potential for experiencing it is also greater.

Ways of coping phobia height

Even so, it does not mean that this condition cannot be overcome or cured. According to the Australian Psychological Society, studying or finding out how this phobia arises will make it easier for you to overcome it. There are several things you can do if you really want to get rid of it phobia altitude, as shown below.

1. Self-recovery

Coping with this condition independently means actually trying different ways to reduce fear or get rid of it yourself phobia against the height. Although this method rarely works, at least you have a sense of responsibility for recovering from your own health condition.

2. Counseling therapy

If treating this condition on your own still doesn't work, try talking to a mental health professional. You may need professional help from a psychiatrist or therapist.

There are several types of counseling therapy, and of course the effectiveness of therapy really depends on the therapist who accompanies you. However, this therapy process is generally slow and unsuccessful, as it lacks a method for dealing with serious concerns.

3. Exposure therapy

If you suspect yourself have phobia or fear of certain objects, start talking to a doctor who can recommend an appropriate therapist.

You may be advised to undertake exposure therapy, which is one of the types of therapy considered to be the most effective. Even so, usually therapists also recommend additional treatment.

Exposure therapy is a form of cognitive behavioral therapy that involves getting yourself into scenarios that involve phobias. In addition, while undergoing this therapy, you will be asked to learn new things to overcome phobias. This process usually has 5 steps, namely:

• Evaluation. You describe your fear to the therapist and recall past events that are thought to be related to a phobia of heights.
• Response. The therapist will offer an evaluation of your phobia and propose a treatment plan.
• Develop your level of fear. You and your therapist list scenarios that involve your fears, each more intense than the last.
• Exposure. You begin to open yourself up to each of the scenarios on the list, starting with the least scary situation. You begin to notice that the panic subsides within a few minutes of dealing with your fear.
• Advanced stage. When you feel comfortable at each stage, you will move on to more difficult situations.

4. Cognitive behavioral therapy

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is an approach that encourages people to face and change thoughts and attitudes that lead to fear. Systematic desensitization, which is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), is a behavioral therapy technique that is more commonly used to treat altitude phobia or other phobias.

It is based on relaxing patients with this type of anxiety disorder and then imagining what triggers the phobia (from the less terrible to the most terrifying).