Acrophobia

It is an abnormal and persistent fear of heights that can cause a person to fear countless things associated to being far from the ground. An acrophobic person tries to avoid elevated places like balconies, terraces, skyscrapers, planes, etc. due to their fear of falling.

        Even though most of the work carried out on an aircraft industry is undertaken on the ground level, some work has to be done at 30-40 feet above the ground level. People with acrophobia should ensure appropriate precautionary measures are taken while under such working conditions. It includes the use of right docking equipment, maintenance platforms, positioning of safety barriers and display of warning information. The maintenance team should be informed about the person’s condition. The employer should make sure that the tasks are assigned accordingly so that the acrophobic sufferer is not put to the test.

Causes of Acrophobia

• Past traumatic experiences involving heights
• Fear of falling
• Fear of loud noises
• Trouble maintaining balance

Symptoms of Acrophobia

• Breathing difficulties
• Excessive sweating
• Trembling
• Stuttered speech
• Dry mouth
• Loss of control
• Unable to make decisions
• Dizziness and nausea
• Feeling paralyzed

Treatment for Acrophobia

The treatment methods are more or less the same for all types of phobias. But the following are the effective ones for acrophobic conditions.

• Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT): It is a type of counselling that develops effective practical ways dealing with phobias by exploring the person’s thoughts, feelings and behaviour.
• Relaxation techniques: Following meditation routine, taking deep breaths and doing muscle relaxing exercises deal with pessimistic thoughts.
• Drug Therapy: Health care professionals might suggest medications such as tranquilizers and antidepressants that can help manage symptoms.
• Alternative Medicine: This includes ayurvedic, natural, homeopathic and related medicines.
• Support Groups: There are various charities and self-help groups involved in supporting people suffering from numerous phobic conditions.