Anybody here who's afraid of heights, and if so...

[dead man walking]

harden the fuck up

[Protobuilder]

I did some consulting work a few years back on the 73 floor and if you lean over and really look out the window, you do realize it's a long way down. However, if you look out in the distance, it's a fantastic view. I don't know that a lot of people actually spend that much time looking out the windows. The 30f, where I currently work, doesn't feel any different than an office on the 3f would...unless an earthquake hits, then the entire thing sways for a good two to three minutes. Not really shaking but back and forth and back and forth like you were on a cruise ship.

[Kenny X]

Nice! Deep breathing, hardening the fuck up, visualization and window avoidance seems like it's gonna be a winning combination.

NO FUCKING EARTHQUAKES, or I'm cashing in my chips and checking out I swear to God!

[Kraj 2.0]

1) Wear a parachute for the first few months. It'll give you a mental safety blanket to help get used to the height.

2) Stand next to the windows and look UP. Looking up will actually make you a lot dizzier and weaker in the knees. Once you overcome that feeling, looking down will be a piece of cake.

3) Find a suitable spot in the office where you've got a running lane towards the window, then run as fast as you can toward the window and stop at the last possible moment. Mentally it will help you overcome the "I'm gonna faint and fall through the window" feeling.

[baffled]

Nice! Deep breathing, hardening the fuck up, visualization and window avoidance seems like it's gonna be a winning combination.

NO FUCKING EARTHQUAKES, or I'm cashing in my chips and checking out I swear to God!

Don't forget xanax enemas comrade.

[Protobuilder]

You may want to consider what you would do if trapped in an elevator 39 floors above the ground (actually 45 or so when you count for basement levels, but the same idea).

[Kenny X]

You may want to consider what you would do if trapped in an elevator 39 floors above the ground (actually 45 or so when you count for basement levels, but the same idea).

I already thought about that, and I have it covered:

I'm taking the stairs up and down.

[DrDonkeyLove]

Just go to work scared. Eventually, when you don't die, you won't even notice it anymore.

[Takafumi]

Any suggestions or helpful advice?

Gradual frequent exposure to what makes you anxious. For example, start with a 2nd story balcony looking down below. Rate your feeling of anxiousness on a scale of 0-100 as you begin (for example 50). Notice where you anxiety peaks (for example 80). Stay in the situation until it drops to 1/2 the peak (example 40). If it doesn't drop stay in the situation for about 45-60 minutes. You will gradually "habituate" to the anxiety and/or learn nothing bad happens.

Repeat this several times a week (3-4). When the anxiety drops to a low level go to another height (for example 5th floor). Use a variety of situations: bridges, glass elevators, parking garages, mountains, etc. It works.

If you have a trauma related to aircraft incident, falling, etc there is a way to handle that also.

[Kenny X]

Today was my first day there and it went great! I even got the sack to head over to a window and snap a photo of the view:



It's not bad at all! In my cubicle I have no idea how high up I am. And I have a lot to keep me busy, so I don't even think about it. I had no trouble at all up there today.

As to the new job, I'm happy with it. Everybody there in the department seem like great folks to work with, and in this position I get to focus on doing the stuff I really enjoy. My primary job description and responsibilities is "Scripting and Automation."

I'm feeling really good about this decision. And I don't even feel the building swaying.

Thanks you guys for the advice and the humor. It helpe me a lot.

[Testiclaw]

L'appel du vide and the Imp of the Perverse are two things worth reading about.

Various attempts to explain why some people have that urge to do deadly things, like leap from a tall height, even if they're not suicidal.

[Kraj 2.0]

That's not even that high up. You're practically level with the foothills in the background. I thought you were working at the Burj Khalifa or something.

[Kenny X]

That's not even that high up. You're practically level with the foothills in the background. I thought you were working at the Burj Khalifa or something.

Funny you mention that- part of my self-prescribed "therapy" is reading about skyscrapers and looking at pictures. I gotta go to Dubai and is it that big fucker one day and check out the observation deck.

[Protobuilder]

Any suggestions or helpful advice?

Gradual frequent exposure to what makes you anxious. For example, start with a 2nd story balcony looking down below. Rate your feeling of anxiousness on a scale of 0-100 as you begin (for example 50). Notice where you anxiety peaks (for example 80). Stay in the situation until it drops to 1/2 the peak (example 40). If it doesn't drop stay in the situation for about 45-60 minutes. You will gradually "habituate" to the anxiety and/or learn nothing bad happens.

Repeat this several times a week (3-4). When the anxiety drops to a low level go to another height (for example 5th floor). Use a variety of situations: bridges, glass elevators, parking garages, mountains, etc. It works.

If you have a trauma related to aircraft incident, falling, etc there is a way to handle that also.

Good advice. By early 2013, you should feel confident enough to actually show up in your office.

[Gav]

Dr A, your sig may have been OK where you used to work, you might want to change now. Or you could just modify it to 'Fall Once'.

[Takafumi]

Any suggestions or helpful advice?

Gradual frequent exposure to what makes you anxious. For example, start with a 2nd story balcony looking down below. Rate your feeling of anxiousness on a scale of 0-100 as you begin (for example 50). Notice where you anxiety peaks (for example 80). Stay in the situation until it drops to 1/2 the peak (example 40). If it doesn't drop stay in the situation for about 45-60 minutes. You will gradually "habituate" to the anxiety and/or learn nothing bad happens.

Repeat this several times a week (3-4). When the anxiety drops to a low level go to another height (for example 5th floor). Use a variety of situations: bridges, glass elevators, parking garages, mountains, etc. It works.

If you have a trauma related to aircraft incident, falling, etc there is a way to handle that also.

Good advice. By early 2013, you should feel confident enough to actually show up in your office.

Not necessarily. Some people can eliminate the anxiety in a matter of hours or days.