Acrophobia

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lindar
lindar Online Community Member Posts: 5 Listener
in Mental health and wellbeing
How do people deal with this condition?

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  • EmmaB
    EmmaB Online Community Member Posts: 263 Empowering
    Hi @lindar

    The only way to tackle phobias is through graded exposure / CBT. Most people with phobias develop safety behaviours eg avoidance, which just maintain the problem (and often make it worse). 

    It might be relevant to explore why the phobia developed in the first place but the bottom line is that only talking about it won't really knock it on the head.

    If it is limiting your quality of life you could talk to your GP and see if they will refer you for the appropriate therapy as I assume you'd rather not have it.

    I hope that helps.

    Emma


  • lindar
    lindar Online Community Member Posts: 5 Listener
    Thank you Emma.will get back to you.
  • April2018mom
    April2018mom Posts: 2,863 Championing
    Graded exposure is the only tried and tested technique. For example if you were scared of heights you could start by lifting your feet up for five minutes only whilst brushing teeth or hair. Or when eating. 
  • Adrian_Scope
    Adrian_Scope Posts: 11,754 Online Community Programme Lead
    Hi @lindar and welcome to the community. To echo what's been said, graded exposure tends to be the most effective form of treatment for phobias such as agoraphobia. You can find some information about treatments and self-care on MIND's website.
  • lindar
    lindar Online Community Member Posts: 5 Listener
    Thank you 

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