Table of contents:
2023 Author: Autumn Gilbert | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-24 22:39
Phobia of heights or acrophobia is an excessive fear of heights. The fear experienced by people with a phobia of heights can cause several symptoms, such as anxiety, stress, or panic, when in high places. Although not easy, the phobia of heights can actually be overcome
A person who suffers from a phobia of heights will usually avoid activities associated with high places, such as standing on a balcony, crossing a bridge, looking out a window from a skyscraper, or just sitting on a stadium bench.
Phobia of Height Symptoms
People with a phobia of heights can experience uncontrollable fear, anxiety and panic when at heights, even when the situation is not dangerous. Other reactions that can also appear are shaking, chest palpitations, dizziness, cold sweats, nausea, shortness of breath, and fainting.
Just by imagining being in a high place, people with phobia of heights can feel afraid, anxious, and even experience panic attacks. People with a phobia of heights actually realize that the fear they feel is unnatural, but they still can't suppress that fear.
How to Overcome the Phobia of Heights
The fear of heights can interfere with the sufferer's daily activities. In severe cases, climbing stairs to put up curtains, changing light bulbs, or cleaning windows can scare the sufferer.
If this is the case, this condition certainly needs to be treated. The following are some treatment methods for overcoming the phobia of heights:
Exposure therapy
Exposure therapy is considered to be one of the most effective therapies for overcoming the phobia of heights. In this therapy, the therapist will help the patient to open up slowly to the thing he feared.
This therapy can be started by looking at the picture from the perspective of a person inside a tall building. Patients may also be asked to watch videos of people crossing ropes, climbing, or crossing narrow bridges.
Furthermore, the patient may be asked to stand on the balcony accompanied by the therapist. At this stage, the patient will learn relaxation techniques to help overcome the fear of being at heights.
Behavioral therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most common psychotherapeutic techniques used to treat phobias. CBT is suitable for people with a phobia of heights who are not ready for exposure therapy.
The focus of this therapy is to identify and change negative thoughts and reactions to situations that cause phobias. By undergoing behavioral therapy, patients will be guided to divert feelings of fear and overcome the symptoms that arise.
Consumption of tranquilizers
There is no cure for a phobia. But some types of drugs, such as anxiety relievers and antidepressants, can at least make people with a phobia of heights calmer in dealing with their anxiety when symptoms appear. Even so, the use of these drugs must follow the doctor's instructions.
If your phobia of heights has interfered with your daily activities, you should consult a psychiatrist or psychologist for treatment. This is because you may not be able to avoid activities at high altitudes forever, such as crossing bridges or taking a plane to travel.
