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Fear of Heights - Acrophobia

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Posted 6/24/2010 5:33 PM (GMT 0)
This doesn't seem to be exactly the right forum for this, but there isn't a place here for phobias. Does anyone know of a forum or other resource for treating acrophobia? I have a crippling fear of heights, and it frustrates me. I get dizzy even just thinking about being up high. Thanks in advance.
Posted 6/24/2010 6:16 PM (GMT 0)
IH8Ticks

Good Afternoon. Actually this would be the right forum for phobias as most people with phobias have high anxiety and panic attacks when they come face to face with their fears.

Emotionally and physically, the response to acrophobia is similar to the response to any other phobia. You may begin to shake, sweat, experience heart palpitations and even cry or yell out. You may feel terrified and paralyzed. It might become difficult to think. Acrophobia, like all phobias, appears to be a hyper-reaction of the normal fear response.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy, or CBT, is a main treatment of choice for specific phobias.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is based on the idea that our thoughts cause our feelings and behaviors, not external things, like people, situations,
and events. The benefit of this fact is that we can change the way we think to feel / act better even if the situation does not change.

I am sure you will hear from some of our members re this same problem.

Kindly,

Kitt
Posted 6/28/2010 4:22 PM (GMT 0)
HI THERE
yes i am terrified of heights and i get literally sick to tummy from it
kitt has given the sx of this and yes u do belong here with us
im on meds to keep calm and i do the CBT Kitt has mentioned
stay with us
lyn
Posted 6/28/2010 7:40 PM (GMT 0)
I will save you the gore of what happens when I am up high... Oh, and I'm usually grabbing onto someone too.
Posted 6/28/2010 10:41 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone.

I've just started my search, but I haven't found any success stories of people conquering this fear yet. Some people just seem to deal with it. I can do that to a certain extent, but it only works up to a certain height.

I don't have to deal with heights in my daily life. I was prompted to look into this after going to a theme park and not being able to ride most of the rides. The only ride I went on with a drop was about two or three stories high, and that still nearly gave me a heart attack.

I can use a step ladder just fine. I can't look down one story or more without getting extremely nervous. I can't really use my attic stairs because they are right next to my regular stairs, which means that I'm looking down 2 stories. It has a lot to do with how secure I feel. I have trouble going up and down escalators at the mall. I can fly in an airplane just fine, and I even like to sit by the window to watch us take off and land.

I get dizzy if I look down. I feel like I'm already falling. I usually have a death grip on whatever I can hold onto. My hands get sweaty, which makes me feel even less secure when I'm holding on to something.
Posted 7/8/2010 4:19 PM (GMT 0)
I quite agree with the Howlyncat and i think that he is the right person to guide and i think that you need a medication done by the doctor and you can also take a anxiety test.

turn
Posted 7/8/2010 8:31 PM (GMT 0)
aprilb
my name is LYN..FEMALE....
I really think the doctor has to be the one for proper dx and decide if meds are for this person or not
i am on them as they are giving me my life back n freedom....
thanks for input

lyn
Posted 7/8/2010 10:15 PM (GMT 0)
I8ticks,

There are many people with phobias such as yours. I believe it is OK for you to avoid high places which trigger panic. You may have some situations which bother you more than others and it may be possible to avoid those fear inducing places. Some individuals have more severe forms of acrophobia and avoidance may be impossible.

Kindly,

Kitt
Posted 7/12/2010 6:58 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks again to everyone for their help.

I don't think that I'll go the medication or therapy route. This is more of an inconvenience than a real problem. I just don't like the fact that I can't do certain things that I might enjoy just because I'm afraid of heights. I have a desk job, and it isn't like I'm going to struggle with this problem very often.

I've been taking small steps on my own. I don't shy away as much from heights or the visual perception of heights. Glass is a particular problem for me. It doesn't matter how thick or strong it is, it's the illusion of a drop-off that gets me. I can calm myself down to some degree, and I seem to be making some gradual progress towards not being as afraid.
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