Are you afraid of heights?

The fear of heights is common for many people. Some are afraid of extreme heights such as skyscrapers, while others are afraid of simple heights such as ladders and multi-level parking garages. Extreme fear of heights is called acrophobia.

“Acrophobia is a mental health condition in which the individual experiences an intense fear of heights," the Cleveland Clinic states. "It’s a type of anxiety disorder. A person with acrophobia experiences intense fear and anxiety when they think of tall heights or are positioned at a significant height. They often avoid situations or places that involve heights.”

A general concern when around heights is normal for all people, and most people are more cautious when they are at a significant height. Feelings of uneasiness or shakiness are very normal when looking down from a tall height. However, acrophobia causes intense and unreasonable fear when faced with smaller heights such as stairs, balconies, etc.

While most people's fear of heights doesn't warrant medical attention, acrophobia can sometimes be severe enough to require therapy and/or medication. The most common treatments for acrophobia include exposure therapy, virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and medications such as beta blockers and relaxants (benzodiazepines).

According to Cleveland Clinic, acrophobia affects approximately 3% to 6% of people, making it one of the most common phobias.

Speaking of heights, the city of Duluth is looking to hire a new person to join its five-person team operating the Aerial Lift Bridge. “You absolutely cannot be afraid of heights and work this job," Dave Campbell, who has been working on the structure for 12 years, told the Duluth News Tribune.

“One of the periodic duties involves standing on the outside ledge of a counterweight and riding it all the way to the top while greasing the bridge slides, with nothing between the operator and the edge. Of course, folks don a safety harness to tackle that task.” Read more about this story on Duluth News Tribune .