Acrophobia, which is an extreme fear of heights , is a widespread and debilitating

anxiety disorder affecting perhaps 1 in 20 adults. A person with acrophobia

experiences intense fear and anxiety when they think of tall heights or are positioned
at a significant height. Although long since recognized as a disorder, there is still
some doubt about its typology due to its similarities to both panic disorder and
agoraphobia.

This intense fear can occur while being inside elevators or secure buildings. The
reaction often even produced at the mere thought of situations involving heights
such as crossing a bridge or seeing a tightrope walker.

Researchers aren’t sure what exactly causes acrophobia. Acrophobia sometimes

develops in response to a traumatic experience involving heights, such as: falling
from a high place and hurting ourselves or having a panic attack or other negative
experience while in a high place. Dwelling on and worrying about the possible pain
you could experience from falling from a significant height could contribute to
developing acrophobia.

The main symptom of acrophobia is an intense fear of heights marked by panic and
anxiety. For some people, extreme heights triggers this fear. Others may fear any
kind of height, including small stepladders or stools. Symptoms include both physical
and psychological reactions. Physical symptoms can include sweating, chest pain,
increase in heartbeat, lightheadedness, shaking and trembling. Other physical
symptoms can include dizziness, feeling like one is falling or losing their balance
when you look up at a high place or down from a height. People with acrophobia will
do whatever they can to get away from high places including crawling out of there.
Psychological symptoms include panic, anxiety and fear at having to climb stairs, look
out windows or going over an overpass, fearing that something negative will happen
in a high place such as falling or being trapped in a high place and worrying
excessively about encountering heights in the future. This avoidance can interfere
with your ability to function in your daily life.