Octophobia (Fear of the Number 8): Symptoms & Treatment (2024)

FAQs

Octophobia (Fear of the Number 8): Symptoms & Treatment? ›

People with acrophobia have an intense fear of situations that involve heights such as being in a tall building or using a ladder. Like other specific phobias, acrophobia is treatable with a psychological therapy called exposure therapy.

People with acrophobia have an intense fear of situations that involve heights such as being in a tall building or using a ladder. Like other specific phobias, acrophobia is treatable with a psychological therapy called exposure therapy.

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)

It can be used to develop practical ways of dealing with your phobia. One part of the CBT treatment process that's often used to treat simple phobias involves gradual exposure to your fear, so you feel less anxious about it. This is known as desensitisation or exposure therapy.

Be kind to yourself and remember that everyone has a different level of tolerance for the unknown or uncertain. Try and learn a new skill to build your confidence. Practice self-care, including exercise, eating well, and getting enough sleep. Limit your exposure to news, especially right before you go to sleep.

In a recently decided case, the Seventh U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that acrophobia is a protected disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Relaxation techniques: Relaxation techniques can help you manage your anxiety when panic sets in. Try breathing exercises or listening to soothing white noise or music. Mindfulness techniques: Many specific phobias, including nosophobia, involve a fear of the future.

Learning relaxation techniques can help you with the mental and physical feelings of fear. It can help just to drop your shoulders and breathe deeply. Or imagine yourself in a relaxing place. You could also try complementary therapies or exercise such as massage, t'ai chi, yoga, mindfulness techniques, or meditation.

Phobias are among the most common of all mental illnesses, and they are usually the most successfully treated. Phobias are divided into categories according to the cause of the reaction and avoidance. Agoraphobia is the fear of being in situations in which a person cannot get help or escape.

What is the scariest phobia? While the scariest phobia is subjective, one phobia that can cause significant distress is phasmophobia, or fear of the supernatural or ghosts. Research from 2018 indicates that fear of the supernatural is associated with several distinct symptoms such as: nighttime panic attacks.

How can I remove fear from my mind? ›

The most often prescribed medication for phobia is what is known as a benzodiazepine. These are medications such as Xanax, Ativan, and Klonopin. Benzodiazepines are intended for acute anxiety, meaning a discreet anxiety episode or a panic attack.

So, what does God say about fear? The answer is pretty simple, do not be afraid for He is with us. May we rest in the words of Isaiah 41:10, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Philippians 4:6–7 - “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Gradual exposure to your fears will give you the chance to learn that you are safer than you realise. Make a list of situations that trigger your height phobia and order them from least to most anxiety-provoking, such as standing near an escalator to visiting a tall building.

More studies have suggested a possible explanation for acrophobia is that it emerges through accumulation of non-traumatic experiences of falling that are not memorable but can influence behaviours in the future. Also, fear of heights may be acquired when infants learn to crawl.

One of the best ways to prepare for any fear is through exposure therapy. This is where you slowly start to expose yourself to the stimulus that causes you fear; in this case, heights. Start off by visiting places that aren't too high, such as a rooftop terrace or a balcony.