Many of our first memories of clowns come from early years in elementary and preschool. Clowns are a part of countless carnival events, amusement parks, movies, and television shows around our world. However, many people find these overly face-painted and creepily happy characters to be everything other than cheerful. Coulrophobia, the official name of the fear of clowns, has been and continues to be a common fear amongst many people. In fact, it is estimated that about 8 percent of Americans claim to experience a fear of clowns at the level of a specific phobia. 

Why is there a widespread fear of clowns? Most professionals believe there are two primary causes behind the phobia. One is that of having experienced a prior traumatic experience with clowns first hand as a child (potentially at a carnival or fair, or even at a pediatric hospital, where some clowns help to ease anxiety in younger patients.). The other common cause stems from the way that clowns are depicted in mass media. Rather than focusing on the more cheerful aspects behind the characters, the media depicts the evil and fearful tendencies behind clowns and makes it essentially “popular” to be afraid of them.  These tangible causes explain some cases of the phobia, but the most intriguing aspect of coulrophobia is the rich history behind it. 

Source: NBC News

Joseph Durwin of Trinity University, who has done extensive research into coulrophobia, notes that clowns have been present since ancient times, beginning as the “jester or fool” character type. The clown was given the pass to essentially represent the “deviant side of human nature”. These actions could be defying sexual normalities or mocking religious figures. As time passed, clowns evolved to be more like jokesters and tricksters, with poor intentions for their pranks. 

Today’s more circus and event-level clown type comes from the “tramp clowns” that were common during the 1930s and 40s. Some reasoning behind the fear could be that these tramp clowns came from the lower class and worked to dote upon the upper class that could afford such entertainment. Durwin claims that the clown phobia reached an all-time high during the 1980s when multiple accusations and stories came to light surrounding child abuse, and clowns were often included among allegations. Clown harassment became characteristic of the character, which led even more to a rejuvenated evil presence in pop culture and media. One example of this is the 1986 book by Stephen King “It”, which is a killer clown story that has now become a film series. These stories lent themselves to create a more nerve-wracking and fearful perspective of clowns to younger audiences that may have little prior experience with the characters.  

Essentially, the “bad clown narrative” represents the evil side within us that should remain repressed and controlled. What began as likely a cheerful figure and fun event character has evolved to a killer personality with horrifying stories and narratives surrounding its actions. The phobia has the usual symptoms of many specific phobias, including nausea, increased heart rate, shaking, and sweating. Many people with coulrophobia seek to avoid altercations with clowns altogether to avoid coulrophobia. Luckily, clowns are not a necessary part of most people’s lives, and there are measures one can take to escape the fear!

Whether we like to or not, public speaking and presentation giving is a large part of most academic experiences as well as job duties after graduation. Even in this class, we have had the opportunity to hone some of our public speaking skills through a variety of assignments and prepare for instances in our lives when speech giving is essential. However, public speaking is not exciting and thrilling for everyone. Glossophobia, more commonly referred to as the fear of public speaking, is one of, if not THE most common phobias that affect people. In fact, it is estimated that about 75% of the population struggles in some fashion when it comes to talking in front of others.  For most people who suffer from the phobia, it truly does not matter how large the crowd is. Just like other social phobias, the number of people around you is negligible, and the fear stems from how those people or that group of others may perceive you and your actions. 

Photo from:
The Balance Careers

When faced with a public speaking task, people who suffer from glossophobia often go into a bit of a fight or flight response. Glossophobia carries a variety of symptoms that are common to many phobias, including high blood pressure, sweating, muscle stiffening, nausea, and feelings of panic. Those who face it feel a strong urge to get away from public speaking situations and refuse to present in front of others if possible. In the worst cases, it can be very debilitating towards one’s career. Most people can push past it with adrenaline and focus, but in some cases where the phobia is too intense, there is nothing the person can do to push past it, and it may require interventions such as psychotherapy and medication. 

Many psychologists believe that glossophobia may stem from a previous negative experience with public speaking (perhaps forgetting one’s lines, having someone laugh at them, etc.). However, others think there is something deeper rooted that correlates with the phobia. According to a study from The National Institute of Mental Health, testing has found that people who suffer from the phobia have an increased response when negative comments are read to them. Therefore, there is some correlation between lower self-esteem and the presence of the phobia. However, others believe that glossophobia has a strong tie to genetics and can be passed on by your parents. No sole cause has been identified, and a wide variety of people suffer from the phobia (making it very, very common!).

One interesting relationship exists between education and the presence of glossophobia. According to a poll, 24% of college graduates expressed a fear of public speaking, while 52% of people who graduated with just a high school diploma expressed the fear. This could be related to the inevitable number of instances that come with a college education where public speaking is required. Also, there is something to be said about having a more educated and knowledgeable background when it comes to speaking in front of others. Perhaps the added confidence of a college degree assuages some of the anxiety that comes with sharing information with others when you are more confident in what you are speaking about. 

Ultimately, becoming more comfortable with public speaking takes practice and experience. Though it never quite goes away for many, there are techniques to help you through the process and not allow it to hinder your abilities in the classroom or the workplace. And when you do it well, you’ll be that much more proud of yourself for getting through it!

Astraphobia is the formal name for the fear of lightning and thunder and is often associated with rainstorms of any kind. Though the sound of thunder and the flash of lightning can be jarring for many, another layer of fear emerges for others that classify it as a phobia and can be extremely anxiety-inducing. For some people (including myself), thunderstorms can be a fascinating and even relaxing event to observe and analyze as a beautiful natural phenomenon. Storms are a natural and frequent occurrence here on Earth, and they are difficult instances to avoid. This is why the phobia is often hard to combat and can be detrimental to the quality of life for its victims. Fun fact! Astraphobia is one of the only phobias that humans frequently share with animals. Many of us have dogs and cats that flee under the bed at the sound of thunder, but there are often many people that share the same fear but aren’t small enough to tuck away!

Photo courtesy of National Geographic

The symptoms of astraphobia are very common to those of other phobias, including rapid heart rate, dizziness, sweating/shaking, nausea, and hysteria. For people that suffer from the phobia, thunderstorms, or even a weather forecast that is predicting thunderstorms can induce jumpy and nervous actions and a need for reassurance of the safety of themselves, their home, and their belongings. 

Many scientists believe the root cause of astraphobia comes from the innate fear of loud noises that begins as a child. Though having this fear as a child is completely normal, it becomes an unusual fear if an adult is unable to grow out of it. For others, astraphobia comes from a previous traumatic experience associated with thunderstorms and natural disasters, and the presence of thunder and lightning can trigger those negative memories. Some examples of these events can include flooding or a fire (resulting from a lightning strike) that destroyed one’s belongings or injured a family member or pet. Regardless, if the phobia persists into someone’s adult life, it can create a personality that is obsessed with weather forecasts and can potentially lead to a hermit lifestyle due to fear to leave the house.

In past weeks, I have focused mostly on the human treatment and impacts of phobias, but because this fear is so prevalent in animals, I thought that its impact on animals would be interesting to dive into. In fact, astraphobia impacts 15-30% of dogs around the country. The cause behind this storm anxiety is much more scientific and biological than many may believe. For one, many animals’ senses, especially dogs, are heightened in intensity, and a sound that may not bother humans could be extremely loud and frightening to a dog’s ears. Dogs can actually sense drops in barometric pressure much greater than humans can, and if you add the darkened skies and wind sounds to the mix, dogs experience an amplified and intense version of thunderstorms than we do. Additionally, in long-haired dogs, the build-up of static electricity in their fur can be a negative fear-inducing factor associated with an upcoming storm. 

Some dogs may need anxiety medications to help them through a storm, but most just need the calming presence and reassurance of their owner to keep them at peace as it passes. For humans, it takes a recognition of the safety a person has within their home and the reminder that storms are very natural and common occurrences to keep the phobia at bay. Whether you love or hate thunderstorms, they are a powerful and unique part of our experience with the weather here on our planet.

Aquaphobia, which is sometimes referred to as hydrophobia, is an intense fear of water. This can range from the deep water of our oceans to raging waves or could include swimming pools or bathtubs. Additionally, the phobia can impact people in different ways. Some victims cannot even see a large body of water, whereas others can get by without being affected by the phobia if they refrain from entering the water. The amount of water is generally not what triggers the phobia, but rather the recognition of the water’s abilities and power to instill danger.

Photo courtesy of Tranceform Psychology

Most frequently, aquaphobia comes from a previous traumatic experience with or in water. This can be attributed to someone drowning, almost drowning or falling frightfully off of a boat or dock. For others, the phobia comes more from the unknown objects and organisms that can be found in the water. Some examples of negative water-related events such as a jellyfish sting or a shark attack can instill fears in a person, whether they experienced it themselves or have heard of or seen something similar occur. Also, aquaphobia is very likely to be passed on from one’s parents. It is one of the most common fears to take on from a parent or guardian. In some cases, aquaphobia can arise in individuals later on in life if they have never lived in a location with large bodies of water, and they suddenly encounter it. Essentially, the fear of water is traced back to the possibility of danger and even fatality that can result from the substance and the elements that it can contain, regardless of its magnitude.

Some of the symptoms of aquaphobia include shaking, freezing in place, hyperventilation, fainting, and nausea, though these can vary depending on the person. A common manifestation of the fear is in the form of anticipatory anxiety in the weeks or days leading up to an event that involves water. As water is very much a part of life, whether that be in need-based activities or social settings, a phobia like this can be detrimental to a person’s ability to carry on with day-to-day activities. Though someone can obviously avoid going swimming in most cases, if the fear extends to sprays and splashes, the effects can be extremely limiting. In some of the rarest cases, aquaphobia can invade someone’s ability to shower and bathe, which can have a detrimental impact on self-esteem. This can be due to the lack of cleanliness and hygiene that can result from this sort of manifestation of the fear, which is much more rare than the usual cases. 

There are many ways to treat aquaphobia for patients that are interested. Perhaps the most proactive way to combat the fear is to take swimming lessons are talk to a lifeguard about the best techniques for avoiding danger in any body of water. If you are comfortable swimming and treading water, the fear of drowning that is most commonly associated with aquaphobia is decreased to a certain extent. However, if measures need to be taken in addition to these proactive decisions, some patients utilize cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure therapy, in which a therapist will help you through water involved situations and environments to learn relaxing techniques and thought exercises to work through the fear. For patients that get very tense and tight as a result of the fear, yoga and meditation are often recommended to assuage some of the anxiety and rigidity, both physically and emotionally, that can result from the phobia. 

Water is one of the strongest compounds on our earth, and whether you are aquaphobic or not, it is important to recognize the possible negative consequences that can result from the power that comes from this force of nature. Never swim alone!

Many of us can relate to running up the stairs to our lit bedroom while the rest of the house is blanketed in darkness. There is lots of uncertainty behind the dark, and many horror films and stories are centered around a pitch black environment or the darkness of the night.  At a certain severity, this fear can be classified as Nyctophobia, which is the official phobia associated with being afraid of the dark. It is one of the most common fears among adults, along with the fear of heights. In fact, according to Glamour, “It is estimated that 11 percent of the U.S. population is afraid of the dark”. It is not necessarily a bad thing to be afraid of the dark; human’s have an inherent sense of caution, and our instinct is to protect ourselves from potential threats. The dark provides threats that we are unable to see and confront on our own, and for some, this becomes a phobia that inhibits many of their daily activities.

Photo courtesy of Glamour

Being afraid of the dark generally begins at a young age. This is a normal stage in development, but by the time we are adults, severe fears of the dark become irrational due to there being no reason to be scared when the lights are off. In adults who suffer from the phobia, their symptoms often include physiological symptoms such as sweating, increased heart rate, trembling, or even nausea. Additionally, many people experience anxiety in darkened environments, they must sleep with a night light, or they obsessively stay indoors past sunset.  These symptoms distinguish Nyctophobia from a simple wariness of the dark, which is very common.

The causes and roots behind Nyctophobia are quite interesting. There is a possibility that it could be evolutionary by nature due to the number of predators that hunt during the nighttime. Likely, the fear is not linked to the dark itself but the potential negative scenarios that could occur within that darkness. In the dark, there is an absence of security and safety, and as your eyes are not as active, your other senses become more attentive. If someone cannot see the sounds and movements around them, they are more likely to experience an extreme fear as a result. Being in the dark compromises your brains’ ability to comprehend the other senses they are experiencing, and this could be a strong agent behind Nyctophobia. It makes a lot of sense where the fear originates from; the questioning lies in why it perpetuates past childhood for some.

Like many phobias, nyctophobia is treatable at any age. This can include a combination of professional help and home remedies. Many doctors recommend creating a coping expression for people to mentally say to themselves and remind them that they are safe in the dark in order to make them feel less anxious. Deep breathing, meditation, and muscle relaxation can help patients that suffer from insomnia as a result of their fear of the dark, which can prohibit their quality of sleep during the night. In other more extreme cases, exposure therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and even medications may be necessary to combat the symptoms of nyctophobia.

Being wary of dark areas is completely normal, but just be sure that it is not prohibiting you from certain experiences and activities. With work, a person can work to reduce their fear of the dark.

Are you constantly afraid of germs on public surfaces, or do you have a hard time trusting food that you did not prepare yourself due to the possibility of contamination? Though it is important to be aware of germs, being perpetually afraid of any possible pathogen or bacteria is very difficult in the interconnected world that we live in today. Mysophobia, or more commonly known as “germaphobia”, is the intense fear of dirt and germs of any kind. The phobia is frequently associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and often the two go together. OCD obsessions are associated with urges to repeatedly and continuously perform certain actions that can create distress or anxiety for a person.  Most germaphobes feel the strong need to constantly be washing their hands and take other measures to avoid coming into contact with contaminated surfaces of any kind. 

Photo from: https://undepress.net/mysophobia/

Symptoms of mysophobia arise when a person either comes into contact with a potentially contaminated surface or is exposed to dirt of some kind. These symptoms include shaking, increased heart rate, crying, or sweating. Though not all people experience mysophobia in the same way, typically, responses occur regardless of whether the perception of germs can be physically observed or not. For example, they can occur when the object of the phobia can be seen, such as dirt and dust on a computer keyboard, or just when the germ contact is perceived to have occurred, like touching the handle when flushing a toilet. 

Typically, one can recognize signs of mysophobia in other individuals based on the preventative measures that they take within daily tasks. Individuals with mysophobia may profusely wash their hands until they almost bleed, or spend excessive time cleaning their belongings. Others may avoid physical contact with others, avoid public spaces believed to be germ-filled, or refuse to share any items with others. What makes mysophobia different from an awareness of germs is the manner in which it inhibits daily interactions with others and personal relationships. Travel and work may become virtually impossible as a result of the phobia as well. 

In regard to the cause of the phobia, mysophobia can often be linked to anxiety and depression if it runs in your family. The phobia can manifest as a coping mechanism for anxiousness and worry. Others may experience a traumatic event with germs, or a debilitating illness in their past that leads them to become perpetually afraid of even day-to-day germs. Other experts have taken a more learned approach in investigating the cause and the phobias increased frequency in recent years. They attribute an increase in mysophobia to the increased abundance of cleaning materials and hygiene products. New items like toilet seat covers and constantly accessible hand sanitizers can positively increase awareness of germs to the general public, but can also trigger a fear or need in others to constantly be cognizant of the potential germs on every surface around you. The newly perceived need to continually sanitize and clean can create unrealistic expectations for cleanliness and add the intensity of the fear of contamination.

Because the fear of germs is frequently associated with OCD tendencies, medication is more frequently used as a treatment plan for mysophobia as opposed to treatment for other phobias. However, if seeking to get to the root of the fear, exposure therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapies can be more beneficial in the long run and help the patient grow out of the phobia. 

Be careful when making fun of someone or claiming someone to be a “germaphobe”! It is a serious phobia that can be detrimental to a person’s day-to-day happiness and comfort!

Information from: 

https://www.psycom.net/mysophobia-germophobia

https://www.verywellmind.com/all-about-msyophobia-fear-of-germs-2671871

Very few people like spiders. Turning and seeing a Daddy Long Leg in your garage can create responses ranging from immediately wanting to kill it to sprinting out of the house and not looking back. Spiders are adverse looking creatures that make many people uncomfortable, but the actual phobia of spiders is much more irrational and can invade the lives of many people around the world.

Arachnophobia is an intense fear of spiders or other animals in the arachnid family, such as scorpions.

It is actually the oldest phobia in Western culture. The root cause of arachnophobia is much more obvious than phobias I have talked about previously. Venomous spiders have long been a danger and have been linked to illnesses and infections. This fear is learned through the general knowledge that many species of spiders are poisonous and can bite victims, through scientific evidence, television and media, or even a direct experience. Therefore, the evolutionary response to being adverse to all spiders, regardless of whether they are poisonous or not, makes sense in regard to human’s innate desire to avoid dangerous and potentially fatal situations. 

If you have arachnophobia, you will likely take action, either consciously or subconsciously to avoid situations and environments where spiders may be present. Unfortunately, spiders are in abundance in most places of our world. They are especially necessary in their abilities to “eat about the equivalent of the weight of the entire human population in insects each day”. Imagine a world without spiders! Though they may incite fear in many, the benefits they provide are invaluable to the earth and its ecosystems as we know them. Therefore, it is important that a person with arachnophobia is able to contain their fear symptoms or work to overcome the phobia as a whole in order to enjoy many of the everyday aspects of life. The positives truly do outweigh the negatives for spiders, despite the small and rare percentage of fatal incidents that are caused by spider venom. In some instances, victims of arachnophobia will choose to miss out on particular travel destinations due to the fear of the known spiders in the area. 

Some symptoms of Arachnophobia include increased heart rate, dizziness, hot flashes, sweating, nausea, or even hysteria. In some arachnophobic people, these symptoms can be a result of other things that are associated with spiders. For example, the sight of a cob web can trigger similar fear-induced responses that would be experienced with the sight of an actual spider. 

There are treatment options for people that face arachnophobia, just like there are options for other phobias as well. The most common types are exposure therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). An example of CBT treatment would be a therapist attempting to replace the scary thoughts associated with spiders with more rational thoughts about the way in which spiders live. Additionally, there are relaxation methods and even medications that can help ease the anxiety associated with the sight of spiders and other arachnids. 

In most cases, spiders will not bother you unless you bother them. Avoid a possibly scary situation by letting them be! They will rarely hurt you if you do not instigate any type of contact with them.

Information from:

https://www.psycom.net/arachnophobia-fear-of-spiders

https://www.phobiaguru.com/fear-of-spiders-arachnophobia.html

https://www.verywellmind.com/spider-fears-or-arachnophobia-2671679

Photo from:

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/fear-of-spiders-became-part-of-our-dna-during-evolution-say-scientists-10156573.html

Photo from:
https://flo.health/menstrual-cycle/health/emotions/fear-of-needles

Trypanophobia is the intense fear of needles and injections. This fear often begins in the early years of childhood, when children are scared of what the sensation of being stuck with a sharp object might feel like. However, most adults grow out of this as they get older and recognize that the severity of the pain often does not outweigh the positives that can come out of certain medical procedures. For those that the fear sticks with, trypanophobia can prevent medical treatments and be a significant roadblock in terms of maintaining their health. 

The fear of needles is actually very common, affecting almost 25% of people. This number is greater for children and adolescents, and normally starts to taper off as people grow older, but still, a high percentage of the general population claims to be afraid of needles and injections to a certain degree. In fact, according to PSYcom, about 7% of grown adults avoid vaccinations because of their fear. This can pose a danger to people’s immune health and put them at a great risk of contracting potentially life-altering illnesses. Though it may start with just needles, if trypanophobia is not addressed early on, it can expand beyond just the injection and become a phobia of medical treatment as a whole due to its association. In the most extreme cases, people who face the fear will avoid and choose to not attend routine medical checkups altogether. It is important that if you face trypanophobia, you are able to manage it in a way that does not harm your opportunities for medical care. Recognizing that the fear is there and practicing calming techniques to get through the process is the most common way that adults push past their fear in order to continue to take care of themselves.

Where does trypanophobia come from? Perhaps this seems obvious, because most of us have experienced immunizations or blood work in our lifetime to know that the sensation is less than enjoyable for the patient. Though often manageable, the pain that is associated with needles is a primary factor that scares many people and produces a fear that stays with them. However, medical professionals have been unable to pinpoint where this fear actually comes from, other than due to the coupled sensation of a sharp prick that only lasts temporarily. There is ultimately no long term danger associated with injections, and for that reason, doctors have had a hard time figuring out the root, long-lasting cause behind the phobia. Some consider the fact that during the era of antibiotics, puncture wounds were difficult to treat and posed potentially fatal effects. It is possible that this approach has been passed on through generations, despite the fact that today we have manners in which to treat these types of injuries. Another theory resides in a totally biological response called vasovagal, which can trigger a person to pass out at the sight of a needle or blood of any kind. This is solely dependent on genetics and is often attributed to all high stress situations.

The most common symptoms of trypanophobia are pretty consistent with other phobias. They can include, but are not limited to, dizziness, fainting, anxiety, high blood pressure, quickened heart rate, and even insomnia, perhaps the nights leading up to a doctor’s appointment. However, like most phobias, the fear of needles is treatable and should be addressed to ensure that the person can endure the necessary medical care that they may need in their lifetime. Treatments consist of cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure therapy, and if need be, there are certain medications that doctors can use like anti-anxiety and sedative pills that can calm a person down enough to perform the injection. 

The most important thing to remember about trypanophobia is that unlike some other phobias, the consequences of avoiding needles and injections altogether is not necessarily feasible in today’s world of medical treatment. In order to properly take care of yourself, one must recognize trypanophobia early on and find ways to live healthily with its effects. 

Information from:

https://www.verywellmind.com/trypanophobia-2671700

https://www.psycom.net/trypanophobia-fear-of-needles

https://www.healthline.com/health/trypanophobia#treatment

Photo from: https://phobia.wikia.org/wiki/Claustrophobia

Though I do not experience it myself, claustrophobia is a fear that I have seen present in many peers as well as in the media. Claustrophobia, or the fear of tight and crowded spaces, is one of the most common phobias, and it can be triggered by a wide variety of scenarios. Some examples of these triggering situations can include riding on a crowded elevator, driving through heavy traffic, being in a windowless room, or even riding on an airplane. Any situation where the possibility of being permanently trapped or forced to remain inside arises, there is a chance that a person with claustrophobia could face the negative symptoms associated with the fear. For most patients, this is attributed to the fear of not being able to obtain the needed amount of oxygen to breathe, rather than simply being afraid of a small space. The confined space is normally just a trigger to induce a fear of what could possibly occur within that small area. Of course, it depends on the person to determine what a “small space” is, depending on the severity of the phobia.

The symptoms of claustrophobia are quite similar to what a panic attack would feel like. These can include sweating, shaking, chest tightness, nausea, intense anxiety, hyperventilation, or even feeling disoriented. As a result of these quite debilitating feelings, many people who experience claustrophobia take preventative measures to avoid fear-inducing situations, like opting to take the stairs rather than an elevator, or standing near the exits in crowded rooms. Granted, claustrophobia is a fear that is very dependent on the defined “personal space” of the person. Say that a man’s “personal space” bubble is eight feet around him. If another person happened to be standing six feet away, he could begin to panic. Therefore, it is hard to discern a general rule of thumb for how claustrophobia can affect different patients.

Now, where does claustrophobia originate from, and how does a person acquire such a fear? The general consensus is a fear of not having enough oxygen, as mentioned before, but if this is an innate human concern, why does it not affect everyone? Many subjects of claustrophobia trace the fear back to traumatic events in their past. Some examples of such can include being trapped in a closet for an extended period, being abused/bullied, or even being stuck on a crowded subway. However, another common theory as to why some people become claustrophobic is because they see their loved ones experience it. If, as a child, someone sees their mom experience symptoms of claustrophobia in a small space, they might associate fear with those types of situations. It is almost like a type of classical conditioning in this way. Perhaps then, this creates a theory that fears like claustrophobia are simply passed on between generations because we see adults act in fear, so we associate those negative emotions and carry on the phobia!

Claustrophobia is very common, yet it varies significantly from patient to patient.  The phobia is treatable with psychotherapy, though many people outgrow it as they grow older. 

It is important to recognize the fear in your family and friends and take action to avoid putting them in situations where symptoms of the phobia can arise!

Information from: 

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/37062.php#causes

https://www.healthline.com/health/claustrophobia#treatment

Photo from: https://www.thesun.co.uk/fabulous/2652730/phobia-acrophobia-fear-heights-cures-symptoms/

Hi again! I am going to kick off my passion blog on fears and phobias for this semester with one of the most common fears in our society, Acrophobia, better known as the fear of heights. Though this fear can range in severity, acrophobia can affect extreme circumstances or even the more daily tasks that occur in a person’s life. For some, the thought of riding on a roller coaster or driving over a bridge can trigger unpleasant feelings, while others can be impacted by the mere thought of having a meeting on a top floor of a skyscraper or having to climb a ladder in the comfort of their own home. Regardless of the circumstance, acrophobia can impact its victims adversely within the course of many daily activities.

Some of the most common symptoms of acrophobia include nausea, sweating, having trouble breathing, shaking, or an increased heart rate. Additionally, people may experience a sensation known as vertigo, which is a feeling that your body is moving and spinning. This is likely a response to their body’s heightened use of the sympathetic nervous system, which arouses fight or flight instincts when someone feels as if they are in an emergency situation. 

Where does this fear of heights come from? Considering most people who face the phobia have never experienced traumatic falls from higher spaces, there must be another reason why this fear pervades a significant portion of our society. According to many psychologists, there are two approaches to where this fear of heights comes from: one being inherited through evolution and the other being learned. Evolutionary psychologists believe that the fear of heights stems from a person’s need to escape and avoid potentially dangerous situations in order to increase their likelihood to survive and eventually reproduce. Therefore, this fear has been passed from generation to generation because it is a fear that reflects the dangers that can come from something that threatens a person’s survival. Thus, this perspective claims that the fear of heights ultimately comes from an innate human instinct to pass on one’s genes, and the potential danger that can result from falling from such a high platform decreases those opportunities.

On the other hand, some psychologists believe that acrophobia is learned through classical conditioning. When a person climbs a ladder for the first time, it is unlikely that they will be afraid. In fact, the activity may be fun! However, when a person climbs a ladder and experiences a painful fall, the fear causing stimulus of falling is now attached to the neutral stimulus of the height of the ladder, and the phobia becomes ingrained. Though this does not explain why people who have not experienced traumatic falls still face fears of heights, psychologists have hypothesized that these fears can be learned vicariously through hearing or seeing the experiences of others. 

Because both of these perspectives are theories, it is likely that the root causes are combinations of both approaches. Overcoming a fear of heights is not easy, but one method that is in practice today is the use of exposure therapy to slowly introduce the fear to patients in a contained atmosphere, with hopes that they can learn that they are safe and decrease the fear-inducing response associated with heights. 

If you are afraid of heights, you are not alone! And there is absolutely a method to the madness!

Information from:

Acrophobia, or why are some people are afraid of heights