Did your fear of heights get worse with age?

[lokiju]

When I was younger I had zero fear of heights. I recall being at the Grand Canyon and looking at a sheer drop that was mile down and it didn't phase me in the slightest, this was when I was 12 or so. I used to climb trees and get up on the roof of the house all the time also with no fear.

Now I'm 28 and I've noticed slowly over the years that I've become more and more fearful of heights, like I get this butterfly feeling in the pit of my stomach.

Last time I cleaned out the gutters and I got up on the ladder I froze up even for a few seconds.

Hell it's gotten so bad now that even playing FPS or watching TV and movies I get that feeling.

Anyone else on here used to not have a fear of heights and now does?

 

[pontifex]

i'm not afraid of heights - i'm afraid of grounds.

 

[nageov3t]

only things that really freak me out are floor to ceiling windows in highrises and balconies/rooftops above the 5th floor.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

No but, I seem to get older the higher I climb.

 

[moshquerade]

Originally posted by: lokiju
When I was younger I had zero fear of heights. I recall being at the Grand Canyon and looking at a sheer drop that was mile down and it didn't phase me in the slightest, this was when I was 12 or so. I used to climb trees and get up on the roof of the house all the time also with no fear.

Now I'm 28 and I've noticed slowly over the years that I've become more and more fearful of heights, like I get this butterfly feeling in the pit of my stomach.

Last time I cleaned out the gutters and I got up on the ladder I froze up even for a few seconds.

Hell it's gotten so bad now that even playing FPS or watching TV and movies I get that feeling.

Anyone else on here used to not have a fear of heights and now does?

Maybe it's because the the risk taking part of your brain has matured.

 

[lupi]

not afraid of heights, just get a bit nauseas on sudden changes in altitude; even playing games where the char i'm controlling falls off a mountain or something can give me that feeling.

 

[DrPizza]

I used to be terrified of heights. When I was younger, I couldn't step off the ladder onto my grandfather's garage roof. I could get up that high, but couldn't let go of the ladder. Now, I've overcome that fear.

 

[TridenT]

I don't know if I am afraid of heights or not. I am afraid of losing balance, that is for sure.

 

[theflyingpig]

Yes.

 

[dighn]

it got better

 

[NoShangriLa]

I had no problem with height as a kid, but last time I was working on a ledge 12 stories up it took me a second to strengthen my legs before I could move.

 

[IGBT]

..I'm up on the roof every day.

 

[skyking]

I think as we get older and the recovery from any fall takes longer, you get cautious.
When I was younger I would try jumps and stuff while skiing. Now I keep the boards in contact with the snow, thank you very much!

 

[Damn Dirty Ape]

no, in fact it has gotten less as I have aged.

 

[Queasy]

My wife's fear of heights has worsened as she has gotten older. She can't ride roller coasters anymore because she gets real scared at the top of the first hill.

My fear of heights hit its...err...peak when I was younger. A summer spent working construction at an oil refinery and having to climb across steel beams three stories+ in the air got me over that. Now, I don't necessarily care to be high but it doesn't keep me from doing anything.

I still don't care for that damn swinging pirate ship though...

 

[AdvancedRobotics]

i'm a definite acrophobe. when i was younger, i couldn't even get past the second step of a ladder without freaking out. heights always used to scare me. it still does now that i'm older, but i've learned to just suck it up and deal with it. heights don't bother me like they used to, for sure.

 

[Martin]

A few years ago I worked in construction - I was one of those guys working on platforms outside of tall buildings. I was quite scared and queasy for the first day or two, but then it kinda disappeared.

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: Martin
A few years ago I worked in construction - I was one of those guys working on platforms outside of tall buildings. I was quite scared and queasy for the first day or two, but then it kinda disappeared.

Wait, what?

I know how you feel though. I was ready to quit after the first time I had to climb up the construction site. I had the older guys ragging me. The only thing that kept me coming back was the fact that my Dad was a project manager and I didn't want to embarrass him. I eventually got the hang of it and had no problem climbing the site after a month or so.

 

[Mermaidman]

Yes! It took sheer will for me to climb up a 20' ladder.

I think it's because of mental and physical reasons
-Grasping the concept of mortality or serious injuries
-Center of gravity changes, so it's harder to maintain balance
-Body is heavier, so you know that an impact with ground causes greater pain/damage (I used to jump down a flight of stairs from 6-8 steps high when I was little, not anymore . . . )


I'm sure with practice, you'll get used to heights again.

 

[TheVrolok]

Mine got better. I was deathly afraid of heights when I was younger. Not as big of a deal now.

 

[gooseman]

Yes.

 

[Nocturnal]

Oh yeah for sure. Was never afraid when I was younger. Deathly afraid of heights now.

 

[Skyclad1uhm1]

It used to be worse. Until I decided to attack it. I started going up higher structures (e.g. Eiffel Tower) and look down, then tell myself that it was illogical to be afraid since I'd be dead the instance I'd hit the ground. That helped me rationalize it.