Neurosis is a group of diseases of the nervous system, which are characterized by strong mental stress. The main symptoms are sleep disturbances, palpitations, increased fatigue.
Fear of heights refers to obsessive-compulsive disorder. The patient has thoughts, fears and desires that bother him, but it is difficult to cope with them on his own. Height-related phobias may result from a recent severe psychological shock. At the same time, the fear of heights is a completely natural phenomenon in a he althy person, but only in five percent of the world's population this fear develops into a phobia.
It can manifest itself in different circumstances - while flying on an airplane, walking in the mountains or on attractions. Some people do not experience discomfort while in the cockpit of an airplane, but on the Ferris wheel they can feel panic. Fear of falling from a height, losing balance, or fear of losing control of oneself and jumping down despite the danger, these are two subspecies of the disease.
Fear of heights (phobia) manifests itself with the following symptoms:
- dizziness and palpitations;
- dry mouth or, conversely, increasedsalivation, sweating;
- decrease in body temperature, numbness of the limbs;
- shortness of breath.
The first reaction of a person to a fear of heights is to grab tightly to any support and not move. It is characteristic that the manifestation of a phobia is not always associated with a real danger to life. So, an attack of fear of heights (or acrophobia) can occur even if a person simply looks at someone who is at a height.
Causes of acrophobia:
- weak vestibular apparatus, a person's estimate of distances is distorted and dizzy, which causes fear of heights;
- fall-related injury - a person may be aware of it or not even remember it (if the fall occurred in early childhood);
- hereditary fear of heights.
How to deal with illness?
Fear of heights can be treated with special psychological techniques. At the same time, a person can learn to control his fear if he has powerful willpower.
The most effective way to get rid of fear is to constantly face its cause, for example, climbing or walking in the mountains often. Then the height will become familiar, and the fear will disappear.
At the same time, it is important to gradually accustom yourself to the idea that height is not so scary and not dangerous at all, if you follow certain rules. You need to often imagine yourself with a parachute or on the roof of a high-rise building, mentally stepping over your fear.
After you get used to this thought, take decisive action. Try to climb to a small height andanalyze your feelings. Each time the height will scare you less and then the fear will simply disappear.
Important: Provide a safe environment for therapy in advance. Safety should not be neglected, because if you lose control and fall, it will be much more difficult to get rid of the fear of heights.
Psychological support also helps effectively. Ask friends to help you: in their presence, you will feel calmer and more confident.
