Question

6. Briefly describe how a specific phobia of heights is different from a fear of heights.

a. I am assuming that you have read some of the criteria for a social phobia and agoraphobia. Imagine you have two people, one diagnosed with social phobia and the other diagnosed with agoraphobia. One of these people can be helped to get out of the house if he/she is accompanied by a close friend who is trusted. The other would only do worse with a friend.   Which one would this be? Briefly explain your answer.

Answer 1

• Acrophobia is defined as a fear of heights. Unlike a specific phobia such as aerophobia, which is the fear of flying, acrophobia can cause you to fear a variety of things related to being far from the ground. Depending on the phobia's severity, you may fear being on a high floor of a building as much as simply climbing a ladder.
• A high bridge may spark feelings of fear or anxiety. In these situations, some people are able to manage discomfort, control their fears and carry out daily activities without too much disruption.
• But having a phobia of heights produces a strong reaction of fear or anxiety. People with this phobia work hard to avoid certain situations, objects or places, like tall buildingds,bridges etc. and they may experience fear or anxiety even when the situation, object or place is not imminent.
• Individuals with specific phobia are fearful or anxious about or avoidant of specific objects or situations.
• In social anxiety disorder (social phobia), the individual is fearful or anxious about or avoidant of social interactions and situations that involve the possibility of being scrutinized.
• Individuals with agoraphobia are fearful and anxious about two or more of the following: using public transportation; being in open spaces; being in enclosed places; standing in line or being in a crowd; or being outside of the home alone in other situations.
• Even though people suffering from both these disorders can be accompanied by a trusted friend but with social anxiety it becomes slightly easy than people suffereing from agoraphobia.
• People suffering from social anxiety or phobia are common interms of meeting new people,making small talk,public speaking etc. that is why it is much easier to overcome their fear by helping them with a trusted friend who can accompany them.
• People suffering from agoraphobia are little difficult to convince since they fear being in unfamiliar situations and also can have a panic attack if they feel they cant run away in times of emergency situation.
• People with this disorder may become housebound for years, with resulting impairment of relationships. It has been estimated that more than one-third of people with agoraphobia do not leave their home and are unable to work.