Are you scared of heights?

[Chefzhat]

We're planning a trip out west and DH desperately wants to take a hot air balloon ride while we're there. :eek: Um, not me, fella.

I'm thinking that I need to get over myself though because it would be way cool to go ballooning, and my refusal is not helping the boys to make their decision (mom is scared = boys are scared).

How do I get over this?? Just go for it and take the ride? Medicate, THEN take the ride? Accept myself and my shortcomings and take pictures from the ground? :)

[Loremma]

I would go and just grin and bear it. I'm afraid of heights, and just close my eyes and pretend to have fun until I do. When I ride rollercoasters I close my eyes when we go up high, and on the freeway when I'm driving on those huge transistion bridges I have to focus on the lines on the road until I get to the other side.
Have fun!

[clairea]

My first thought was to medicate, then go. But, I'm not so sure that is a great option unless you have something that you really know how it affects you -- you would hate to get up there in a balloon and get dizzy or light-headed! Maybe you can plan on staying toward the middle of the basket, so you can still see everything but it won't be like you are looking down over the edge. It does sound like a very cool (but a bit nerve-wracking) experience.

[FruitsAlive]

I've found that fear of heights often has to do with the fear of not being able to control your balance. I don't know if this is the case for you, but you could try just going up a few feet before you get cut loose and see how you feel. If it's too much, it won't be a big deal to get you out of the basket.

[nanco]

I think you will regret it if you don't. Close your eyes, tell yourself you can do it and it all will be fine. Easier said than done, I know. I have a fear of public speaking and was put on the spot at my Wedding 4 years ago to give a speech at the dinner. I sat down and went "I can't believe I just did that". I have memories of the speech. At my husband's surprise birthday party last summer, I got up and gave a speech in front of a lot of people I had never met. My fear has lessened. I think as we get older we should test ourselves and move on from what fears us.

I hear wonderful things about balloon rides. DO IT!

[gertdog]

I'm afraid of heights in certain situations. On our honeymoon, DH really wanted to take a helicopter tour of Kauai. Between motion sickness and fear of heights I didn't think I'd enjoy it. I took some dramamine the night before and can say that it was an amazing experience to see the island from that perspective. (Dramamine, even the non-drowsy kind, knocks me out, so I always take it the night before my anticipated motion sickness. That way I sleep off the worst of the drowsiness and can still enjoy whatever we're doing the next day, since it's effective for 24 hours.)

Hot-air balloon rides can be really lovely. Everyone I know who's been in one has thoroughly enjoyed it. Go for it! Some companies offer a champagne toast during their rides (or even a brunch)- a few sips of bubbly might make it easier to enjoy the experience. ;)

[lindrusso]

That's kind of funny because I am about the least adventurous person in the world and a hot air balloon is one of the few things I HAVE done. :)

Although I realize that in your case it's not being adventurous that's the problem..........

It's hard to say....how bad is your fear?

FWIW, I have a hard time with sheer drops - like looking down a cliff (the Big Sur in CA is beautiful, but driving along those cliffs scared the heck out of me) or looking off a tall building or on amusement park rides. It seems to be anything where I feel like I might suddenly plunge over the side. I even dream about it.

The balloon did not have the same effect on me whatsoever. It was a very gentle ride - well, except for the landing - just floating above the tree tops. Height was never an issue for me in this case for some reason.

Now heights at scary speeds like at an amusement park???? No! I don't care what the effects are on my children, you are NOT getting me on a big roller coaster. No way. Not doing it. I had a hard enough time not losing it on the stupid log flume! :D For some people the adrenaline rush is fun, for me it's just terror-inducing. What's fun about that?

If it would be torture for you, I say don't do it. Your kids will not be scarred for life if you don't go for a balloon ride, just as my kids will not be scarred for life if I don't hop on a roller coaster. I think you can encourage your kids from afar, letting them know that sometimes people just can't do certain things. And do you do other fun, exciting things with them and this is just one little thing?

If it were something like being afraid to travel by plane that would really keep you from doing a lot of fun things with your kids, I would say pop some pills and suck it up. But a balloon ride is just one activity on one trip - not a big deal.

Good luck. :)

[lindrusso]

I'm afraid of heights in certain situations. On our honeymoon, DH really wanted to take a helicopter tour of Kauai.

Hey, there's a second adventurous thing I've done. :D

That was worth the motion sickness, I must say. A little scary and I definitely felt queasy, but at least there was a payoff. With amusement park rides, it's just scary. No payoff for me.

[sneezles]

I have a fear of heights which can be paralyzing at times. I became nauseous when my kids were standing next to the Grand Canyon and I was about 30' away (DH was with the boys) :o .

I did, however, take a balloon ride! It was magnificent! Not one nerve ending was tingling the entire time, even when the pilot took down to the tree tops! Just be sure to let the pilot know of your fear!

[Hammster]

I don't have a fear of heights. Mine is more a fear of ladders. When I climb a ladder my heart is racing. Once I'm on the roof or some other stable place I'm totally fine. Hiking to high points, sheer drops, etc don't bother me in the least. Just that wobbly ladder feeling as I'm climbing the ladder.

I think the only thing that keeps me going up the ladder is that I know that I'll be safe once I'm at my destination. I don't know how one resolves a fear of heights knowing that the destination is what they are afraid of.

[stomkow]

yes I am!

I have to close my eyes watching movies where someone is at the edge of a cliff, or rock climbing (I'm thinking the MI1 opening scene, or that one with with Sly or Arnold, where the grilfriend dies in the first scene from a fall)

however, two things I have done, that I would have regretted not doing:

Grand Canyon - Mule ride - by far the scariest thing I have ever done. Perched on top of a huge beast, walking down narrow paths that have a shear 1000 foot drop. Mind you, they are taught to walk on outer edge of the path, therefore the riders' center is on the edge, and their canyon side is really "over" the canyon.... my hands sweat now as I type this.

skydiving - tandom - great experience, and far less scary than the mule ride. Once the parachute opened, my fear dissipated.

If you can manage, bite the bullet and do it. You won't regret it!

[lindrusso]

One more comment........

If you want to conquer your fear for yourself because you want to do it, that's one thing. But I think you do it for yourself, not your boys. They'll live if you don't go, but if you think you would regret it for yourself, that's different.

[beacooker]

I climbed up onto my son's top bunk a few months ago, and felt kind of nauseated when I looked down!!! :eek:

I think it would be great to show your kids that while you are scared of heights, you are willing to overcome your fears, and not let them get in the way of enjoying life. To prep for it, it would be good if you could 'practice' by going to other high places first, if that is possible. Also, you might want to find out if it would be possible for you to sit in the bottom of the basket, so you wouldn't have to see out, if you get up there and just can't take it. I wouldn't medicate for it, as I don't personally believe that is a very good message to send your kids.

Honestly, while I believe it would be a great thing to show your kids, I'm not sure I could do it, so huge kudos to you if you do!!

[sneezles]

Grand Canyon - Mule ride - by far the scariest thing I have ever done. Perched on top of a huge beast, walking down narrow paths that have a shear 1000 foot drop. Mind you, they are taught to walk on outer edge of the path, therefore the riders' center is on the edge, and their canyon side is really "over" the canyon.... my hands sweat now as I type this.



OMG! I'm nauseous just reading about your experience!:eek:

[LakeMartinGal]

I also have a fear of heights, but have taken a balloon ride... and really enjoyed it! One thing to remember if you get dizzy, is to put your tongue in the center of the roof of your mouth, and keep your eyes open and fixed on a spot that isn't moving... the burner, the floor of the basket, whatever.

Whatever your decision, enjoy your trip!:)

[Canice]

I am definitely afraid of heights. I can tell my stress level is too high when I start having dreams that I'm slipping on a cliff-side path, locked on a roof, etc. All of my anxiety dreams include ladders, cliffs, or roofs! That said, a balloon ride doesn't sound scary at all (well, it does, but for unrelated reasons) - odd.

On the one hand it's nice that you want to set an example for your kids of overcoming a fear, but I think they're old enough and smart enough to get that it's a personal thing "heights make me woozy" and not that you're a nervousy nelly or telling them their venture is unsafe.

[lindrusso]

I am definitely afraid of heights. I can tell my stress level is too high when I start having dreams that I'm slipping on a cliff-side path, locked on a roof, etc. All of my anxiety dreams include ladders, cliffs, or roofs!

Me too. I hate those dreams! They only make more scared when I'm in those situations. Sheesh.

The suggestions that this would be a great lesson for your kids in overcoming your fears has given me pause to reflect on my own fears. I have too many of them! I probably won't ever get on a big roller coaster or sky dive, but I think I need to try more things - I'm boring! :)

[Jazzmatazz49]

What gets me is looking up if I'm up high. I think a hot air balloon ride would be the coolest thing in the world. Never would I hang glide or sky dive, but give me the change to go up and enjoy the view in silence...I'd do it!

[engineer]

The suggestions that this would be a great lesson for your kids in overcoming your fears has given me pause to reflect on my own fears. I have too many of them! I probably won't ever get on a big roller coaster or sky dive, but I think I need to try more things - I'm boring! :)


I was in the same boat. About 4 years ago I realized I was letting fear control my life. So I made a New Year's resolution/promise to myself not to let fear control me. Since then I went to Charleston to a 'fitness retreat' (no one I knew, exercising in front of others, city I'd never been to, etc.) and started showing horses (don't even get me started on the things that can go wrong!:eek: :o ). Heck I even gave a presentation (not the best but I did it) to a professional society...people who could wipe the floor with me and my megar knowledge in my stuff:rolleyes: . In each situation I've survived - even if things went bad I made it through.

[tea4one]

I would never do that! I don't know if it is just a fear of heights either. I can not handle going across a bridge. It is even worse when I get stuck on one and it is not any better if someone else is driving.

[SDMomChef]

I don't think I could do it....I don't mind being in a tall building - as long as I am far away from the windows, so the hot air balloon wouldn't work for me. I also hate to drive across tall bridges - my hands get all sweaty.

[funniegrrl]

If you have any sort of phobia, I don't think it's a good idea to "just do it" and try to make yourself "get over it." It's one thing to go out of your comfort zone a little, it's another to force yourself to do something that is truly frightening.

I have a fear of heights but it's not all-encompassing. I have no problems with flying and looking out the window. I don't think I'd have a problem with a helicopter ride. I like small roller coasters OK, but the big steep ones ... uh uh. I can look out the window in a tall building, as long as I don't press my face to the glass and look straight down. The lower the glass goes to the floor, the further back I have to stand. I don't like going up more than a few steps on a ladder. Basically, the more of a barrier than there is between me and the ground 1,000 feet below, the less of a problem it is. When I was a kid, Six Flags had a ride called The Gasp. There was a bucket that took you and a friend straight up a huge pole, paused, then dropped you, with a parachute that slowed the descent. Unexpectedly, I loved it (because I looked straight out and not down), and rode it over and over. Come nightfall, I rode it again and ... YIKES. Doing it after dark terrified me for some reason. Never rode it again.

All of that to say ... think about the specifics of height situations that make you nervous, and compare that to what would happen in a balloon ride. If it's just a little stretch, you would probably be OK. If the very idea makes you sweat ... well ... you might look into finding a therapist that helps people deal with phobias.

As far as the kids go, if you decide not to do it, the key is to not make a big deal. Tell your husband (in private) the subject is closed, esp in front of the kids. If the kids ask if you if you're doing it, just a little smile, and "I'm thinking about it" is enough of an answer. Your husband can talk enthusiastically about how cool it's going to be. If you decide not to, when time comes, again don't make a big deal. "No, I don't think so ... this will be something you and Dad can do together, and I'm really going to enjoy some piece and quiet by the pool!" or whatever.

[BucknellAlum]

I don't know if I would do it. A balloon ride is going to be at least a half hour, it's not like a rollercoaster where you can just close your eyes for a minute and it is over. A half hour would seem like an eternity if you get panicky.

As a kid, when I traveled with my parents on a vacation where my mom and I went up in some tall tower, my dad (who has a horrible fear of heights) stayed on the ground. I didn't think anything more about it other than "he missed out on a great view". In other words, his fear did not rub off on me.

[Chefzhat]

Thanks everyone. I don't have a phobia so much as kind of an irrational fear. I don't mind roller coasters, but won't climb a ladder. I HATE bridges.

I think that I'm going to suck it up and do it - when will I ever get the chance, right? And if that is my day to "go", it will happen whether I climb into a hot air balloon or not.

Debie

[TKay]

Thanks everyone.
I think that I'm going to suck it up and do it - when will I ever get the chance, right? And if that is my day to "go", it will happen whether I climb into a hot air balloon or not.

Debie

Yes! I think that's a great decision. Go and see how you feel. If you get in, super. If not, you'll enjoy watching everyone else go up. Don't be too hard on yourself if you don't get in. You can live vicariously!
Enjoy.

[funniegrrl]

I don't have a phobia so much as kind of an irrational fear.

A phobia is an irrational fear!

Good luck and have fun. If you feel shakey, just keep reminding yourself to look straight ahead at the horizon, not down.

[lindrusso]

Thanks everyone. I don't have a phobia so much as kind of an irrational fear.

Actually, irrational fear is the definition of a phobia. :D The key being that the person with the fear realizes that it's irrational.

However, I don't think we generally attach the word phobia to every irrational fear - mostly just to those that cause extreme panic and/or avoidance, effecting how people go about their daily activities. And of course some phobias are more debilitating than others. It's fairly easy to avoid snakes and lead a normal life, but things like elevators, bridges, etc., can cause much more of a problem.

[Chefzhat]

Phobias affect your lifestyle (ie., never ever evah climb higher than the 3rd step) - I will do heights, just not happily.

Clear as mud?:)

[aggie94]

What's so irrational about being afraid of falling to your death from thousands of feet in the air?? ;)

BTW, I too have a pretty strong fear of heights, but it's not consistent. Mine is actually a lot like funniegrrl's. I don't love to fly, but I do it and I don't freak about looking out the window. I can work in a building on the 60th floor of a highrise, but I can't get right up next to the window and I don't like seeing others get that close either. I also can't walk too close to the edge of high places, whether there are railings, barriers, ledges, etc. or not. I can ride some roller coasters but not others, but that's more a virtue of my tendency towards motion sickness than heights, although heights also plays a factor. I rode the Millenium Force coaster at Cedar Point (where the first drop is 310 feet, at an 80° angle) but did sorta freak out on the way up. I don't think I could do it again. I got stuck at the top of a ferris wheel once and became nearly hysterical. :o

Not sure if I could go up in a hot air balloon or not. It sounds fun, but I would probably freak out once up there.

[sneezles]

What's so irrational about being afraid of falling to your death from thousands of feet in the air?? ;)


Not sure if I could go up in a hot air balloon or not. It sounds fun, but I would probably freak out once up there.

There's a sales pitch for a balloon ride if I ever heard one!:p :D

I thought the same thing until I actually did it but then I knew the pilot!

[Lauren]

I'm afraid of heights. I get this strange sensation where I feel like my rings/jewelry and shoes are going to slip off. Weird, huh!

[Miss Giggles]

I am like the poster who said that it depends on the barriers involved. I went up in the elevator in the CN tower and that was ok on the observation deck because there was a glass barrier. Grand Canyon was ok but trust me I didn't lean over the rail.

But if I had to hike down it or drive next to the edge without a barrier I'd be petrified.

[GingerPow]

Actually, I'm afraid of widths.

Blatantly stolen from Steven Wright.:rolleyes:

I do get a fear of height sensation when standing on the upper floors of new construction and look toward the edge. I have to stay a good three feet away otherwise I get this feeling like I'm going to get pushed off. I don't get that feeling when hiking in the mountains and on a ledge though. My DH can stand right at the edge of a new building and be perfectly calm, but I get these feelings that he'll slip and fall.

I don't like feeling trapped either. I have gotten off amusement park rides when the shoulder harness holds me down too tightly - I've told the attendants to take it off and I get out. I am not prone to panic attacks, but that will get me going in that direction!

Having said this though, I made up my mind years ago to face the things that used to freeze me in fear. One was my fear of volleyball. Yes, I feared volleyball because I was always one of the shortest kids in gym class and I used to get smashed in between people as we lunged for the ball. So, I joined an adult volleyball league.

I was also extremely afraid of public speaking. When asked to narrate a production at church about 10 years ago my first reaction was "NO!!:eek: " but realized this was an opportunity. So I agreed and found that I enjoyed it. Some of the people at church actually asked my DH if I did that for a living! Okay, cross that one off the list too.

If I had the chance to go up in a hot air balloon I would take it. There is too much adventure in that to pass it up.

[aggie94]

Speaking of the Grand Canyon and heights, have you guys seen the new Skywalk that is being constructed at the Grand Canyon, that is opening to the public in March?

It has an all glass bottom and sides, goes out 70 feet past the edge of the Canyon, and is almost 4000 feet above the Colorado River. Now THIS I am pretty sure I could never set foot on. :eek:

http://z.about.com/d/urbanlegends/1/0/z/C/grand_canyon_sm.jpg

[funniegrrl]

no no noooooooooo a thousand times no!

*shudder*

[Angelina]

Hmm...the Skywalk sounds cool!! I have no fear of heights whatsoever...when I went to Mexico, the resort organized a trip to Oaxaca and we took this tiny barrel shaped plane to fly there, which at times would fly sideways just to allow us some special views...it was so cool!!

In Oaxaca we took a bus to Monte Alban. Picture a regulation size bus on a narrow mountain road with hairpin curves...I could swear that while turning half of the bus was hanging off the mountain, but I wasn't scared. I thought it was a blast!!

While I do recognize that it's real, it's very hard for me to conceive being afraid of high places or bridges :confused: . Why bridges? And tall buildings? Sure, you could plunge to your death, but why would you? Is someone going to push you off?

Angela

[aggie94]

While I do recognize that it's real, it's very hard for me to conceive being afraid of high places or bridges :confused: . Why bridges? And tall buildings? Sure, you could plunge to your death, but why would you? Is someone going to push you off?

With tall buildings, who knows if someone is going to accidentally bump me from behind and I will go through the window and plunge to my death. Or maybe if I'm standing too close to the edge of a cliff, a strong wind will come along and blow me off. Even where there's a railing, who knows if someone or something will cause me to fly over the edge. Yes, I know - it's sounds totally ridiculous and irrational. I guess that's what makes it a phobia. :rolleyes:

BTW, I also don't like to walk on anything that is not a solid surface -- sewer grates creep me out (I go around), and I definitely do not like going up stairs where you can see in between each stair. Never know when something is going to give and I will just fall in. :eek: :rolleyes: I also hate driving over bridges and I *always* have to double check to make sure my car doors are locked before I go over a bridge. Apparently, my irrational brain thinks if my car is going over the edge of the bridge into the water, it will keep me from flying out of the car on the way down if the door is locked. My bridge-water-car phobia is also the reason I keep a Lifehammer in my car. :p

[slknight]

http://z.about.com/d/urbanlegends/1/0/z/C/grand_canyon_sm.jpg

http://209.85.12.234/3783/12/emo/umno.gif

My fear of heights is also kind of mixed. I never thought/knew I had one until I did some hiking in Utah. I totally freaked out trying to climb up Angels Landing in Zion NP.:eek: I'm okay with buildings and most other things. I even did okay at the top of the Space Needle. I'm terrified to fly in an airplane (although I do it several times a year) but for other reasons. I think I could handle a balloon fairly well.

[Peweh]

BTW, I also don't like to walk on anything that is not a solid surface -- sewer grates creep me out (I go around), and I definitely do not like going up stairs where you can see in between each stair. Never know when something is going to give and I will just fall in. :eek: :rolleyes: I also hate driving over bridges and I *always* have to double check to make sure my car doors are locked before I go over a bridge. Apparently, my irrational brain thinks if my car is going over the edge of the bridge into the water, it will keep me from flying out of the car on the way down if the door is locked. My bridge-water-car phobia is also the reason I keep a Lifehammer in my car. :p

Aggie I think we are long lost twins! I HATE those stairs without the riser. I also can't stand driving over bridges - but only if I'm behind the wheel! It's like I think I'll get distracted by the view and drive out of my lane or off or something so I'm white-knuckled and focus like I'm playing Pole Position everytime. If I'm the passenger, I'm fine. It's also like someone else posted, all about the boundary. If I'm looking out a normal window of the 60th floor, fine... if the glass goes all the way to the floor, not fine. Glass elevators :eek: give me stairs any day, lots of them.

[Canice]

OK, Eva, that is a great illustration of the kind of thing I have anxiety dreams about! "I was on this sort of outlook over the Grand Canyon, only you could see through the bottom and sides. I wasn't at the edge of the canyon but kinda OVER it, see...."

Thinking about Angela's comment, I wonder if "fear" is exactly the word for what I and some others feel. I don't fear something is going to *happen*. For example, I used to find walking across the Golden Gate Bridge "frightening" but I didn't fear it would collapse or that I would go over the edge. I just get light-headed and sweaty and my heartbeat picks up. Almost like a swoon. But I don't literally FEAR the bridge. Does that make sense?

I don't like feeling trapped either
Sorry, but this reminds me of something an old roommate said to me (shortly before she returned to the States to get married :eek: ) "I can't stand feeling constrained. Bras, seatbelts, and wedding rings induce panic."

[lindrusso]

Wow - that Skywalk looks cool, but it's giving me a fair bit of anxiety just looking at it. I really, really want to visit the Grand Canyon some day, but I never considered how I'd react to some of it!

While I do recognize that it's real, it's very hard for me to conceive being afraid of high places or bridges :confused: . Why bridges? And tall buildings? Sure, you could plunge to your death, but why would you? Is someone going to push you off?


That's part of what makes it a phobia - it's not rational! :) Everyone has certain fears, but not everyone goes to extreme lengths to avoid their fears - people with phobias do. And as with anything else, there are probably differing degrees of fear and avoidance behavior.

Here is a better definition of a phobia:

By definition, phobias are IRRATIONAL, meaning that they interfere with one's everyday life or daily routine. For example, if your fear of high places prevents you from crossing necessary bridges to get to work, that fear is irrational. If your fears keep you from enjoying life or even preoccupy your thinking so that you are unable to work, or sleep, or do the things you wish to do, then it becomes irrational.

One key to diagnosing a phobic disorder is that the fear must be excessive and disproportionate to the situation. Most people who fear heights would not avoid visiting a friend who lived on the top floor of a tall building; a person with a phobia of heights would, however. Fear alone does not distinguish a phobia; both fear and avoidance must be evident. (Lefton, L. A., 1997)

For some, it's a matter of not feeling they have control of a situation. My SIL has a phobia - definitely a phobia in this case, not just a fear - of enclosed places. She can't sit in the back seat of a car (I've seen her freak out when she got put in the back of a limo once), but she can tolerate it as long as she can sit by a door. As long as she has an out - control - she can tolerate small spaces.

Flying was VERY difficult for her because there is no out on an airplane. BIL also had/has fear of flying (but no other fears) - they both get through it with medication and my SIL actually did a bit of behavioral therapy. What we can't figure out is why in the world she lives in NYC?????? :D Talk about feeling closed in!!!! You're surrounded by subways, elevators, small apartments, etc. NYC makes ME claustrophobic. ;)

Somehow DH doesn't have these same fears, but both his sister and brother were significantly effected by theirs - requiring medication to fly, etc.

When I was getting my BA in Psych, I worked on a behavioral therapy research program for people with phobias - people with fears of driving, open spaces, bridges, etc. Funny thing was, I had a fear of driving - I was over 20 with no license - and had to get over my own fear before I could work with the subjects in the research project. :D :rolleyes:

[Cookin4Love]

I'm terrified of heights--even standing on a chair makes me hyperventilate--no exaggeration. I can't stand near windows--even closed ones--above ground level. A Ferris Wheel, in my lexicon, is he Wheel of Death. However, I can go up in a hot air balloon or parasailing with no problem. It's very peaceful, and I've done both without even the slightest twinge. I think it's worth a try.

[mbrogier]

Debie, I think you will do ok in a hot air balloon. The basket is really high, not like what you see on cartoons where it's only waist level. I've been around balloons, but I've never had the opportunity to ride in one. I don't think I would freak in one since it would take a lot to look down.

I have a fear of heights, but mine isn't as bad as it used to be. I can fly airplanes and hang out the side of a helicopter that doesn't have doors as long as I'm safely buckled in. I've been to the top of the Eiffel Tower and the CN Tower. I even walked on the glass floor. What freaked me out was when DH (we had been dating about a year then) jumped on the floor when I was on it. I almost castrated him for that little stunt. :mad: :D I've gotten to where I can go on ferris wheels and climb up mountains.

[GingerPow]

A Ferris Wheel, in my lexicon, is the Wheel of Death.
:D Reading through old threads this morning and this just cracked me up! So funny Cookin4Love!:D

[saserre]

If it was me, accept your shortcomings and take pics from the ground.
I know because I'm afraid of heights, I will never go in a balloon. But hopefully you do go and enjoy it. I agree with funniegrrl, it's one thing to try something new and conquer a fear, it's another to freak out and totally be a basket case (pun intended) the entire time.

I had a hard time even in a helicopter, and had my eyes closed and hanging on for dear life for most of the trip. Was beautiful scenery, according to others on the ride.

I'm also afraid of ground heights, mostly towers. Managed to climb up into statue of liberty back few years ago when you could, but had total panic attack and had to basically crawl on the way down (try crawling on crowded winding stairs, not easy). Only went about 100 steps up Arc de Triumphe before freaked out, and decided that fiance' could go up and take pics for me. Was able to go up CN Tower in Toronto, only because a fast elevator. But since it was glass, I had to have my eyes closed, facing the steel door, and was crouched on the ground and hanging on to handrail for dear life. Ditto for elevator to first level of Eiffel Tower. (wonder what the French folks thought of me then!) Fiance' was thinking of proposing to me on tower, but since I was in such a bad state crying and shaking and never let go of either a steel girder or him entire time I was up there he didn't (did in park next door after got back on solid ground).