10 Most Common Phobias

Acrophobia is a very common social anxiety disorder. As will all social anxiety phobias, this condition is characterized by a very specific set of fears. Acrophobia is the fear of heights or high places and overcoming fear of heights can mean acknowledging the fear and seeking medical attention, as well as, psychological help.

Overcoming fear of heights, or Acrophobia, can only begin when the situation is understood. As with all social anxiety phobias, Acrophobia was once a rarely diagnosed condition and no proper tretament for overcoming fear of heights was available. Mental conditions as a whole, were thought to be social stigmas and patients were often locked away for treatment within a mental ward or insane asylum. For this reason, overcoming fear of heights or Acrophobia was left for the patient to do with little or no help from a doctor.

Acrophobia can manifest itself in many social and not so social situations. While many people believe the fear of heights is defined as very high places, Acrophobia does not have to always be this simple a condition. Overcoming fear of heights may require overcoming some of the lesser known forms of Acrophobia that include:

Fear of standing on a chair. The fear of standing on a chair is the same as the fear of very high places but with different height restrictions for Acrophobia patients. Simply put, Acrophobia can be any fear associated with the feet not touching the ground and overcoming fear of heights may be as small as standing on a chair.

Fear of climbing a ladder. Another fear of the feet not touching the ground, many Acrophobia patients can not climb a ladder. From the time they try to climb that first rung and both feet are off the ground, the symptoms of Acrophobia begin.

Fear of water. Less common than other forms of Acrophobia, the fear of water follows the same general principles. In the water, when the depth is higher than the person is tall, the feet will not be able to touch the floor or the ground, this can evoke symptoms related to Acrophobia.

Overcoming fear of heights or Acrophobia, depending on the severity of the condition, will require help from a medical professional. While overcoming fear of heights may seem like a moot point when a person can just avoid high places, the limitations placed on the Acrophobia patient can affect every day life immensely. High places can be defined as multiple story buildings and planes. When the Acrophobia patient seeks help for overcoming fear of heights, it means they are at a point where normal function is being hampered by the condition.

Overcoming fear of heights can open up an entirely new world for those with Acrophobia. Our world is constantly growing up and when those places are out of reach due to a social anxiety disorder like Acrophobia, overcoming fear of heights is an awesome accomplishment for those suffering from Acrophobia.