Fear of heights can manifest itself in various ways
When sensations confuse us, we want to find a name for what happens to us. So we know what exactly is happening to us and we can solve it. But, sometimes, it happens that there are two terms that are used interchangeably even though they are not the same and we can get confused. Do you know the difference between vertigo and acrophobia ? We consult our dictionary of phobias to clarify both concepts.
What is vertigo
Do you like to walk along the cliffs and stop to see the sea? You may not get too close to the shore because you feel dizzy or unsteady , as if everything around you is moving. It can also happen in the mountains or when you look out onto the terrace of an attic to see a panoramic view of the city. And what about the church tower?
Vertigo is actually a subjective perception of movement around and has several causes, all of them physiological. If vertigo causes you too many problems, it is better that you go to your doctor to rule out any health problems. But the truth is that this feeling of dizziness is quite common and may even be an adaptive mechanism .
What is acrophobia
And what does vertigo have to do with fear of heights or acrophobia ? Vertigo is precisely one of the symptoms of acrophobia , along with the rest of the anxiety-related reactions that occur in all phobic disorders. A fear of heights that is excessive and irrational and that can occur in the mountains, when crossing a bridge over a river, on a rooftop, in an elevator or even on steep stairs.
When you are in one of those places you notice not only vertigo or that everything revolves around you, but also palpitations , muscle stiffness , excessive sweating and shortness of breath . Your thoughts lead you to the true belief that something bad can happen to you at that point, that you are going to fall or that your heart will not be able to bear that feeling of fear and panic.
The differences between vertigo and acrophobia
As you can see, although many times they occur at the same time, vertigo and acrophobia are not the same . Vertigo, in fact, can also occur in places that are not high while to notice the symptoms of acrophobia it must be from a high place. But the main difference and what will make you distinguish if you suffer from vertigo or acrophobia is the degree of avoidance .
Avoidance is the common response to all phobias. If you have vertigo, you may have a hard time going up to that roof, but you will not stop doing it if the circumstances require it. However, if you have acrophobia, you will do everything possible to avoid going up to the roof , in that glass elevator, you will give up that walk through the countryside to avoid crossing the bridge or you will miss the wonderful views from the cliff.
Acrophobia is limiting and can significantly reduce your quality of life, while vertigo is just a nuisance that passes as soon as you get down from that height. The anxiety caused by the fear of heights , however, remains in time and the very idea of having to go up somewhere makes all the symptoms jump.
Fear is another factor that distinguishes vertigo from acrophobia. Vertigo does not cause you fear, just caution. With acrophobia, high places become an assured danger because you are convinced that you will suffer at least one panic attack .
And since vertigo and acrophobia are different, you can imagine that the treatment is too. The vertigo does not need psychological treatment , but acrophobia itself . And the sooner you put yourself in the hands of professionals, the sooner you can regain control of your life.
