acrophobia
Sign in to saveAcrophobia, also known as hypsophobia, is an extreme or irrational fear or phobia of heights, especially when one is not particularly high up. It belongs to a category of specific phobias, called space and motion discomfort, that share similar causes and options for treatment.
AI overview
Acrophobia is an extreme, irrational fear of heights that can occur even when someone isn't very far off the ground. It matters because it's a recognized phobia with identifiable causes and treatment options, making it something that can be addressed rather than simply endured.
AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.
Key facts
- Medical condition (new).name
- Acrophobia
- Medical condition (new).image
- 3 Window Washers - Cleaning the Westlake Center Office Tower.jpg
- Medical condition (new).alt
- 3 window washers cleaning the windows of a building
- Medical condition (new).caption
- Some jobs require working at heights.
- Medical condition (new).field
- Psychiatry
- Medical condition (new).symptoms
- Extreme or irrational fear of heights
- Medical condition (new).complications
- Panic attacks on high places
- Medical condition (new).frequency
- 6.4% (lifetime risk); 2.0% (12-month risk)
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Acrophobia, also known as hypsophobia, is an extreme or irrational fear or phobia of heights, especially when one is not particularly high up. It belongs to a category of specific phobias, called space and motion discomfort, that share similar causes and options for treatment.
Most people experience a degree of natural fear when exposed to heights, known as the fear of falling. On the other hand, those who have little fear of such exposure are said to have a head for heights. A head for heights is advantageous for hiking or climbing in mountainous terrain and also in certain jobs such as steeplejacks or wind turbine mechanics.