Disadvantages Of Acrophobias

Like other phobias, Acrophobia is treated with a variety of treatments that include cognitive behavioral therapy, reality therapy, and anti-anxiety medication, or any combination of these. Because Acrophobia is not something that one is born with, but a learned response that stems from a traumatic situation, it is often accepted that there are effective methods of treatment, because it is not something that is embedded at birth in the brain. While Acrophobia is usually very powerful, embarrassing, uncomfortable, inconvenient, and can even be debilitating, it also has several coping methods available to lessen the reaction to heights. Because this is a learned response, sufferers need to "unlearn" this way of thinking.

Behavioral therapists

While this can be done in many ways and for many different phobias, there are certain ways to desensitize a person to heights. For example, go to an area where the patient knows that they will experience their fear of heights and accompanying anxiety. This could be anything from the top of a building or only on a diving board. Begin far back from the surface's edge where the fear does not exist and slowly move towards the edge. As soon as fear sets in, stop walking. Pay close attention to your feelings and do an inventory of your symptoms by going through your body, head to toe, concentrating on how each part of your body feels. Make yourself aware and take special note of these feelings. It is important to not immediately turn around when anxieties begin to rise, as it is also important to not deny how your body really feels. Continue with your desire to overcome your fear of heights. Do not pressure yourself to go further at first, know that you are in control of the situation and can step back when needed.

Continuing on with this process, begin at your original starting point and again, stop walking when anxiety sets in. Pay close attention again to your feelings and take close note of those feelings. Do not run away from or deny what you are feeling. It is important to know your feelings before making the conscious choice to either continue forward or to step back. Because you are in control, you are able to choose to continue moving closer toward the edge, leave the situation entirely, or remain in