Acrophobia is the extreme or irrational fear of heights. It involves intense fear, anxiety, and sometimes panic attacks when a person is at or even thinking about high places, such as tall buildings, bridges, or stairs. This fear can lead to avoidance of situations involving heights. Acrophobia is considered a specific phobia and can significantly impact daily functioning. It may develop from a traumatic experience related to heights or an exaggerated natural fear of falling. Treatment options include exposure therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
