Acrophobiais a persistent and intense fear of heights.
People with acrophobia will experience panic and sudden anxiety in situations involving heights.
This article discusses acrophobia.
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It explains the common symptoms that accompany a fear of heights and how acrophobia is diagnosed and treated.
ruizluquepaz / Getty Images
What Is Acrophobia?
Acrophobia is the fear of heights.
Women are more likely to experience acrophobia than men.
Symptoms of Acrophobia
The main, defining symptom of acrophobia is fear of heights.
General vs.
It is important to receive the correct diagnosis so your treatment can be the most effective.
However, this insight isn’t necessary to be diagnosed with acrophobia, or any other specific phobia.
What Causes Acrophobia?
Like all anxiety disorders and specific phobias, acrophobia is brought on by a complex interplay of factors.
Scientists don’t know exactly what causes acrophobia in some people and not others.
The answer is likely to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
Genetics
There is emerging scientific evidence that a variety of specific phobias are linked to corresponding genes.
This is supported by demographic studies that show an average 30% heritability rate of specific phobias.
More research, however, is needed to determine the extent of the genetics behind acrophobia heritability and predisposition.
Evolved navigation theory (ENT) offers a different explanation for the cause of acrophobia.
ENT, therefore, posits that acrophobia is a rational response to an abnormal stimulus.
Vestibular Disorders
Vestibular disorders can also increase the risk of developing acrophobia.
Yourvestibular systemcontrols your sense of balance through mechanisms in the inner ear.
People with vestibular disorders experience postural instability and are at a greater risk of falling.
These conditions, whichimpair balance, may predispose people to develop acrophobia.
How to Overcome Acrophobia
There are a variety of treatments that are effective at treating specific phobias.
Some treatment methods, such asvestibular physical therapyand virtual reality, have been specifically studied regarding acrophobia.
Exposure therapy can also be done gradually, over multiple sessions.
This therapy is done alongside a licensed mental health professional.
Virtual Reality
In recent decades, exposure therapy has also been studied through virtual reality methods.
Virtual reality creates more opportunities for grading exposure before exposing a person to the stimuli in vivo.
Vestibular Physical Therapy
Some people may experience acrophobia as a result of a vestibular disorder.
Through vestibular physical therapy, a person rehabilitates their vestibular system and develops compensatory strategies to promote balance.
This therapy reduces fall risk but also may reduce fear of falling, including acrophobia.
Medication for Acrophobia
Medication is sometimes used to treat acrophobia.
It is recommended that a person undergo exposure therapy first before a decision is reached regarding Seromycin use.
Coping With Acrophobia
A fear of heights can seriously impact a person’s life.
There is help available if you are living with the condition.
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