The Psychology of Fear

What is Acrophobia?

Acrophobia (from Greek, meaning "summit") is an extreme or irrational fear of heights. It belongs to a category of specific phobias, called space and motion discomfort that share both similar etiology and options for treatment.

Acrophobia can be dangerous, as sufferers can experience a panic attack in a high place and become too agitated to get themselves down safely. Some acrophobics also suffer from urges to throw themselves off high places, despite not being suicidal. "Vertigo" is often used, incorrectly, to describe the fear of heights, but it is more accurately described as a spinning sensation.

Other names for fear of flying include; aerophobia, aviaphobia, aviatophobia and aviophobia.

The Psychology of Fear

Fear is a powerful, unpleasant feeling of risk or danger, either real or imagined. Psychologists such as John B. Watson and Paul Ekman have argued that fear, along with a few other basic emotions such as joy and anger, is innate in all human beings. Fear is a defensive, survival advantage, and may have evolved in a variety of organisms. It is usually a response to a particular stimulus. For example, a person may see a spider and experience fear. Fear serves as motivation to escape to safety.

An example of this may be something dangerous & spontaneous, during this situation the blood goes to big muscles (like legs) allowing the person to run faster. The body freezes up instantly allowing the brain to decide if another reaction would be better (like hiding). In the brain, hormones are released centering the attention on the threat & looking for the most accurate reaction.