Acrophobia

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Acrophobia (pronounced: ak-roh-FOH-bee-uh) is a specific phobia, an irrational fear of heights. It belongs to a category of specific phobias, called space and motion discomfort, that share both similar causes and options for treatment.

Etymology

The term "acrophobia" comes from the Greek words "ἄκρον" (akron) meaning "peak, summit, edge" and "φόβος" (phobos) meaning "fear".

Symptoms

People with acrophobia can experience a panic attack in a high place and become too agitated to get themselves down safely. Some acrophobics also suffer from urges to throw themselves off high places, a phenomenon known as High Place Phenomenon.

Causes

The cause of acrophobia is still under debate. Some believe it is a learned behavior, while others believe it could be related to the natural fear of falling and the fear of loud noises (also known as the Gibson and Walk's visual cliff experiment).

Treatment

Treatment for acrophobia typically involves therapeutic techniques such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Exposure Therapy. Medication is also an option for severe cases.

Related Terms

  • Vertigo - a medical condition where a person feels as if they or the objects around them are moving when they are not.
  • Agoraphobia - an anxiety disorder characterized by symptoms of anxiety in situations where the person perceives their environment to be unsafe with no easy way to escape.
  • Phobia - a type of anxiety disorder defined by a persistent and excessive fear of an object or situation.

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