Definition:
Hypsophobia is a psychological condition or specific phobia characterised by an intense fear of heights. It can cause dizziness, anxiety, or even panic when a person is at a high place or anticipates being at a height.
Etymology & Origin:
Hypsophobia comes from the Greek word ὕψος (hypsos), meaning “height,” and phobos (φόβος), meaning “fear.”
It literally means “fear of height.”
The term follows a standard pattern used in naming phobias in modern psychological terminology, which became common in the late 19th to early 20th century.
Examples:
- Her hypsophobia made it impossible to cross high bridges without severe anxiety.
- People with hypsophobia often avoid balconies, mountain trails, or even escalators in tall buildings.
- The Greek word hypsos also appears in terms like hypsometer, always referring to height or elevation.
