What is Acrophobia (Fear of Heights) and How to Treat it?

Acrophobia refers to the fear of heights. It means people with this phobia are afraid of tall buildings, ladders, etc. This is a feeling of intense fear that brings anxiety disorder like any other phobia. Nevertheless, one can manage it with coping techniques.

However, the severity occurs when they start facing daily problems, like avoiding climbing stairs at work or home. Scroll through this article to learn essential details about Acrophobia, like its causes, symptoms and treatment method.

There are different situations that people with a fear of heights are scared of. These are as follows:

• Walking on stairs.
• Riding a rollercoaster or any ride.
• Standing on a balcony.
• Standing on top of a building.
• Leaning from the window of a tall building.
• Crossing or standing on a bridge.

This fear of heights is not the same for everyone. Therefore, depending on the intensity of the fear, one may show the symptoms. Generally, the symptoms are of two types, physical and psychological.

The physical symptoms of Acrophobia include:

• Excessive sweating.
• Chest pain.
• Rapid heartbeat.
• Light-headedness.
• Tremors at the sight of height.
• Dry mouth.
• Shallow breathing.
• Numbness in hands and legs.

In contrast, the psychological symptoms one may get are as follows:

• Panic attacks.
• Extreme anxiety at the sight of height.
• Avoiding places with heights.
• Anticipating negative thoughts regarding heights.

Phobias can develop due to many reasons. However, the actual reason for this phobia is still under research. The most common causes of Acrophobia are:

1. Disorder in Vestibular System

The vestibular system present in the inner ear of the human body is responsible for maintaining balance. Thus, if one has vestibular disorders, he or she is at risk of tripping and falling.

Hence, if such individuals encounter falling several times, that person gradually grows a fear of heights. So, in short, impaired balance is one of the most important reasons for Acrophobia.

2. Genetics

Any genetic flaw or history of phobia in the bloodline can cause Acrophobia. Research shows that a maximum of acrophobic people have a history of phobia in their genetics. However, the effectiveness of family history on growing Acrophobia is still under research.

3. Past Experience

Often people get fearful because of their negative past experiences with height. For example, they are falling from a height or watching something negative related to height. All these change their perspective regarding heights, and people tend to avoid places with tall heights.

4. Distance Perception

The Evolved Navigation Theory talks about the different responses of people to distance. This is because there are different perceptions of distance in every person. So, one may not consider a place as high as another person thinks.

Thus, according to a study on Evolved Navigation Theory, people with problems with disproportionate distance may grow this phobia as they lack a rational response to the height.

5. Observing Other People

Observing someone getting anxious from a height is another reason for developing the phobia. For example, children will likely develop that fear if the caregivers have any sort of trauma regarding height. Further, watching someone falling from a height can also grow a sense of fear and cause Acrophobia.

6. Concept of Evolutionary Theory

Evolutionary theory states that people often fear certain things considered dangerous for a long time. Fear of heights is also a fear that has been evolving into people’s minds over time. Thus, people avoid heights as a natural response to survival.

People can develop a fear of heights anytime with the influence of any unfortunate incident. However, certain risk factors can be:

• Falling from a tall height.
• Having anxiety disorder.
• Getting panic attacks at high places.

People with this fear may get the following complications:

• Avoid going outdoors.
• Depression.
• Low self-esteem.
• Change schedules to avoid heights.
• Feeling nervous when thinking about heights.
• Get OCD, PTSD, substance use disorder, etc.

However, along with Acrophobia, people may also get other co-occurring disorders, such as:

• Vertigo: Vertigo is a medical condition associated with dizziness and spinning at height.
• Aerophobia: This is the fear of flying that restricts people from visiting airports or riding an aeroplane.
• Bathmophobia: It is a co-occurring condition of Acrophobia that develops a fear of slopes and stairs in people.
• Climacophobia: It is similar to Bathmophobia but occurs at the time of climbing.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) has listed effective diagnosis criteria for phobias. A physician will likely follow these guidelines and run questionnaires and techniques to diagnose Acrophobia.

• The physician will ask you questions about the severity, intensity and duration of symptoms of Acrophobia.
• Physicians will also check the proportion of fear with the actual threat.
• The professional will enquire whether the patient tends to avoid places with heights is also a diagnostic criterion.
• Physicians will check patients’ tendency to anticipate dreadful happenings with heights.
• They further will check how effective the symptoms of Acrophobia are in the daily life of the patients.

After a successful diagnosis, healthcare providers opt for different, highly beneficial treatments for managing fear and anxiety.

There are two types of treatment for Acrophobia, medicinal and behavioural therapies. While medicines can cure the symptoms and adverse physical effects, therapies can help to fight the root cause of the phobia and heal it entirely. The discussion is as follows:

1. Medicines

The mostly prescribed medicines for treating Acrophobia are:

• Beta-Blockers: These medicines are needed to manage the rapid heart rate and high blood pressure, common symptoms of Acrophobia.
• D-Cycloserine (DCS): DCS is a kind of drug for treating anxiety disorder and can give the best result with exposure therapy.
• Benzodiazepines: People use these sedatives to reduce the symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks. However, make sure to limit its consumption as it may be addictive.

2. Therapies

The therapies that doctors may prescribe are:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) effectively treats behavioural and psychological disorders associated with a phobia of height. Further, it is also beneficial for treating anxiety, depression and, PTSD, substance use disorders which are co-occurring with the phobia.
• Exposure Therapy: People with this phobia tend to avoid places with tall heights. However, they can easily fight this with the help of exposure therapy. This therapy will gradually expose people to their fears and teach them skills to deal with the situation. By practising this continuously, they can easily eliminate their anxiety and lead a trouble-free regular life. One of the most common therapies that fall under exposure therapies include:
  • Virtual Reality Therapy - Virtual Reality therapy is one of the most modern technologies to treat phobias. In this therapy, people get exposed through technology to situations they are afraid of. For example, in the case of Acrophobia, people will watch tall heights through a VR headset. So they can learn the techniques to handle their fears safely.

Phobia, be it of any type, can last for several years to decades for 10% - 30% of cases. However, it may last more if these are untreated and get merged with other disorders such as extremely anxious nature, mood swings and substance use disorders.

Acrophobia generally occurs at the sight of a tall height. However, if one cannot stand at a minimum height like a regular staircase and gets anxious easily, it is time to see a doctor.

Further, patients with underlying medical and psychological conditions may also be affected by Acrophobia intensely. So, to cure all these issues from the root, they need to visit an expert.

The above guide may have given you a clear idea of Acrophobia, its causes, symptoms and treatments. Most of the time, phobias are treatable with therapies and medications. However, getting caregivers' help can benefit them as they are attentive to the patients so that they can defeat their fear.