Things I'm Afraid Of, Part One

Heights

from JoeUser Forums
Where does fear come from? It comes from within us, but before that, what was the origin of a specific fear? My lack of confidence feeds my phobias, as I feel unable to overcome them, and I'm filled with dread even when facing the possibility of them.

Heights

I don't know where my fear of heights comes from. Was I dropped as a baby? Dangled too high by my tall Uncle Mike, who loved to rough-house with my constantly fearful toddler-ness?

But it continued to affect me, continues in fact to this day. A mere trip up onto the roof, climbing onto a step ladder to hoist myself up... no thanks, I'll strain to reach the gutters from the relative safety of the ladder. I don't realize that I cave to the fear when I do that, because it doesn't seem like a big deal at the time.

I've faced it before, tellingly. Camp Challenge, Fort Knox, Kentucky, rappel tower. Go down the 45 degree slope, go down the vertical drop, go off the helicopter skid. Helicopter skid? Screw that. But I at least took the opportunity to do the vertical drop twice.

random SSG: "Didn't you already do this?"
Cadet pseudosoldier: "Yes, SSG, but I'm afraid of heights and thought I'd try and face my fears."
random SSG: "..."
random SSG: "Shit, I'd send you back down, but it's faster this way. Just fucking go."


Mostly, I don't have to deal with it. I'm more used to six-foot heights, though.

I know, I know... I'm not afraid of the falling but instead the sudden stop at the end...
philosophy
3,555 views 7 replies
Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top

I HATE heights.  With a passion.  I'm alright flying, but buildings make me jelly-kneed.  We went up the Arch earlier this year and I had to come back down after 5 mins because I got the collywobbles. 

Even a scene from a high building on TV or in a movies makes my stomach do a flip and my knuckles clench.

I tried to face my fear once by going to the top of Cologne cathederal tower....I made it up there but stood with my back to the wall the entire time.  Couldn't go near the edge....

...and as I write this I'm getting that feeling again.  See, even thinking about them makes me feel uneasy.

Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top
I have no problem with most heights (buildings, ranger towers, Victory Tower, etc...) but standing on a chair or the top of a ladder terrifies me... it is likely due to the fact that I was born with no depth perception...
Ashes of the Singularity II
Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top

I got the collywobbles.

I like that term!  great one!  Ny fear of heights is much like yours.  However, I am fine inside of a building with walls.  But even tho I passed over the Golden Gate Bridge scores of times, I could never look over the railing, or I would get the collywobbles as well!

Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top
So you mean you don't want to go skydiving when you get here?
Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top
you don't want to go skydiving


How much is it?

I mean, it's not my first choice to unwind after a hard day (not that you've had a hard day since you got there), but I might consider it... and be frightened out of my gourd the entire time.
Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top
A very good friend of mine loved it, he always said, " when you are falling at 100+ MPH, your problems can't keep up!"
Reply #7 from JoeUser Forums Top
I am terrifed of giant green and yellow space frogs.