Crossword Dictionary
Acrophobia
Acrophobia is an extreme or irrational fear or phobia of heights, especially when one is not particularly high up. It belongs to a category of specific phobias, called space and motion discomfort, that share both similar causes and options for treatment.
Most people experience a degree of natural fear when exposed to heights, known as the fear of falling. On the other hand, those who have little fear of such exposure are said to have a head for heights. A head for heights is advantageous for those hiking or climbing in mountainous terrain and also in certain jobs such as steeplejacks or wind turbine mechanics.
People with acrophobia can experience a panic attack in high places and become too agitated to get themselves down safely. Approximately 2–5% of the general population has acrophobia, with twice as many women affected as men. The term is from the Greek: ἄκÏον, ákron, meaning "peak, summit, edge" and φόβος, phóbos, "fear".
Phobias typically develop in childhood. There is no single cause of acrophobia, but researchers have developed several theories as to why this fear might develop.
Evolutionary theories of phobias suggest that people are predisposed to fear certain things that might be dangerous. In this instance, falling from a height threatens survival. For this reason, evolutionary theorists believe that the fear of heights may be innate.
The symptoms of acrophobia are similar to those of other anxiety disorders. A person may experience the following physical symptoms at the thought or sight of places that are high up:
- palpitations
- shortness of breath
- sweating
- dry mouth
- nausea
A person with acrophobia may also demonstrate the following behaviors:
- avoiding scenarios that may expose them to heights
- avoiding talking about heights
- experiencing panic at the thought of having to be somewhere high up
- worrying about future scenarios in which they may encounter heights
- the fear of entrapment in a place that is high up
- avoiding media that centers around heights, in severe cases