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Feeling the rush of your heart as you peer down from a skyscraper is nothing uncommon. A fear of heights, known as acrophobia, affects one in 20 people in the UK. Tonight, several well-known celebrities, such as Paddy McGuinness, Beverley Callard, and Kimberly Wyatt, will confront their fears by completing a high-wire walk for Channel 4’s Stand Up To Cancer. But can facing a phobia head-on truly conquer it? A psychiatrist explains what it takes to overcome acrophobia.
For many, the uneasiness of looking down from a tall building is normal. However, those with acrophobia may experience anxiety even when crossing a bridge or riding an escalator. “A phobia is more than just fear. Everyone naturally has a fear of heights or falling as a survival mechanism. It becomes a phobia when it starts interfering with your life,” says Dr. Paul Blenkiron, a psychiatrist from the Royal College of Psychiatrists.
People with acrophobia may avoid going to tall buildings or shopping malls with escalators. Their reactions can range from crawling away from an edge to having panic attacks. Acrophobia is a fear of situations involving heights, such as climbing a ladder or being on the top floor of a building. This fear can trigger the body’s emergency ‘fight or flight’ response, even in the absence of real danger. Symptoms include increased heart rate, muscle tension, changes in breathing, dizziness, nausea, trembling, and lightheadedness. Approximately one in 20 people are estimated to have this fear.
The cause of acrophobia varies. Some individuals may have experienced a traumatic event, like falling from a tree or being pushed off an edge and getting injured. Others may have a genetic predisposition to fear heights. Once the fear of heights develops, avoiding situations that trigger the fear perpetuates it. Dr. Blenkiron explains, “The key thing is people avoid situations they think are dangerous. You never prove to yourself that standing on the top floor of a shopping mall or an escalator isn’t dangerous.”
While extreme challenges like skydiving or high-wire walks may not be suitable for someone with a fear of heights, gradual exposure to the fear can be helpful. Dr. Blenkiron suggests cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a type of therapy that teaches individuals to think differently. CBT helps individuals challenge their avoidance behaviors and gradually face their fears. Mindfulness and controlled breathing, which can help manage panic attacks, are other techniques to cope with phobias.
If you struggle with a phobia, Dr. Blenkiron recommends seeking help from your GP and accessing the NHS talking therapy services.
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