Symptoms

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Symptoms: Friends of the Fear

Every case of jumping from high places phobia is a little different.

Why? Because the core of the problem – the patterns of thinking, the images, movies, sounds and dialog that are internally associated with jumping – are different in each person.

(Note that most cures offered for jumping from high places phobia – expecially using drugs and medications – will tackle only the symptoms, not the thinking that is the actual core of the problem).

But while the 'internal representations' as they are called are different from person to person there are a number of symptoms which are common to many catapedaphobes:

  • A feeling of uncontrollable anxiety when you think about or are exposed to jumping
  • The feeling that you must do everything possible to avoid jumping
  • The inability to function normally because of your anxiety
  • Often, the knowledge that your fears are unreasonable or exaggerated but feeling powerless to control them

Catapedaphobic symptoms can be mental, emotional and physical. The anxiety and fear can go from mild feelings of apprehension to a full-blown panic attack.

Typically, the closer you are to what you’re afraid of, the greater your fear will be. You can test the severity of your problem with this 2-minute online jumping from high places phobia test.

But because the fear is a physical response to patterns of thinking about jumping and not the actual jumping almost all people with jumping from high places phobia can create a very strong reaction just by using their mind.

> For help chaging these patterns of thinking, read this article How to Overcome Jumping from High Places Phobia.

Mental Symptoms

  • Obsessive Thoughts
  • Difficulty thinking about anything other than the fear
  • Really bad images and/or movies of jumping
  • Feelings of unreality or of being detached from yourself
  • Fear of losing control or going crazy
  • Fear of fainting

Emotional Symptoms:

  • Anticipatory Anxiety: Persistent worrying about upcoming events that involve jumping
  • Terror: A persistent and overwhelming fear of the same
  • Desire to Flee: An intense instinct to leave the situation (which is tough when its purely in the mind)

While not generally experienced at the same time as jumping from high places phobia episode, we find that overall when they think about their past, most clients have elevated levels of one or more of:

  • Anger, Sadness, Fear, Hurt & Guilt

Physical Symptoms:

  • Dizziness, shaking, palpitations.
  • Shortness of breath or smothering sensation
  • Palpitations, pounding heart, or accelerated heart rate
  • Chest pain or discomfort
  • Trembling or shaking
  • Feeling of choking
  • Sweating
  • Nausea or stomach distress
  • Feeling unsteady, dizzy, lightheaded, or faint
  • Numbness or tingling sensations
  • Hot or cold flashes

Next Action

Or learn more about Jumping from High Places Phobia:

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