Do you panic when you are high above the ground or scared at the thought of going to a high raised building? If yes, you may have acrophobia, which is the fear of heights. It is an anxiety disorder that is present in a small population. Women are twice as susceptible to acrophobia as men which can affect their quality of life. To help overcome this situation there are a few things that can help. Listed below are some of them.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
CBT is one of the most common treatments to get rid of this condition. In this therapy, many behavioral techniques are created while exposing the patient to the most feared situation like high places. The patient is taught to handle situations through behavioral techniques and to control the emotions.
Medications
There is research being conducted on the effectiveness of medications on this condition. But there are many beta-blockers that are used for short-term relief from anxiety and panic attacks. A few drugs with D-cycloserine composition have been found to be effective along with CBT. There is more research needed on how effective drugs are to treat this condition.
Exposure therapy
In this therapy, the impacted individual is given small height targets to be achieved over an extended period of time. Experts at Get Over Phobia opine that this option is effective and helps gain confidence. The individual makes slow but sure progress thereby letting go of the fear of heights over a period of time. With every target achieved, there is a surge in confidence that helps overcome acrophobia.
Complementary therapies
There are many complementary therapies that can be used like:
- Biofeedback: Use tracking devices to get biofeedback on some of the physiological functions of the body. Example, heart rate, breathing, etc. Using this data you can learn to control these responses with the help of relaxation techniques.
- Relaxation techniques: There are many relaxation techniques like deep breathing and meditation that can help you cope with this condition. There are many self-help resources to learn the art of relaxation. Other techniques like muscle relaxation, visualization, mindfulness and breathing exercises can also help.
- Hypnosis: It is a form of treatment that is used to help people face their fear. It helps in evaluating the cause of fear and what triggers it so that it is effectively handled by therapists.
You can overcome the fear slowly
Earlier, psychologists used to treat phobias by making people face fear. For example, if a person fears swimming he/she is thrown into the pool. This technique only created more anxiety in patients and sometimes caused permanent damage to the psyche. But in the modern era, psychologists recommend that people deal with fear at a steady pace. Small-goals are set which helps them inch closer to their ultimate goal. For example, walking a little closer each day to the balcony railing can help.
If you have fear of heights learn all about acrophobia and the treatment options to manage it. Unlike other phobias, it can be quite dangerous for you. This is because you can make an unsafe move if you have a panic attack when you are at a good height.
