Acrophobia

Written by Pookas Kreations

This is a condition where you are scared of high places. It rarely happens to Skygnomes, but when it does, they usually immigrate to the Treelands, where they can touch the ground.

One scientist is working on some special goggles that reduce or stop the effects of vertigo. He refused to leave because he loves his home, but has had to fight this condition his whole life, and is seeking to lessen the effect in others.

Transmission & Vectors

This can happen to any race and is often congenital (inherited). Otherwise, it is not communicable.

Causes

Acrophobia, like all phobias, appears to be a hyper-reaction of the normal fear response. Some experts believe that this may be a learned response to either a previous fall or to a parent's nervous reaction to heights. Others believe that it is encoded into our genetic makeup.

Symptoms

Some of the symptoms are:

• lightheadedness

• wooziness

• vertigo

• dizziness

• flightiness

• panic

• a racing heartbeat

• nausea

• shaking/trembling

• loss of balance

• extreme fear

• sweating

• etc.

Treatment

Some things that can be done are:

• desensitization

• hypnotism

• Take time to mentally prepare

• Visualize yourself overcoming your fear

• Move slowly

• Breathe

• Go easy on yourself

• etc.

Cultural Reception

In the Skylands, those who have acrophobia are treated with derision.

Type

Neurological

Cycle

Chronic, Acquired & Congenital

Rarity

Uncommon