In all my 37 years heights have never bothered me. I’ve skied all my life have been on the highest of high chair lifts, love roller coasters and thrill rides, roofed houses, sided houses, hung tree stands, sat in deer stands for hours, zip lined across gorges, was an Audio/Visual Technician for a NCAA Division I sports arena and spent hours on end in the cat walks 50+ feet in the air.

Today I started staining my deck with all the screen and rails removed and while I was not so terrified I could not complete the job. I did find myself having to reassure myself I was only on the 2nd floor, I put up some temporary cross bars to hold on to.
I climbed on and off my platform awful slow and latched on pretty good to my cross supports. I even gave thought to getting my hunting harness and strapping it to my corner posts.

What on earth has happened????
Could it be the discomfort set in as I was working alone? All my other experiences folks were always there doing the same thing I was.

Anyone else just randomly start disliking heights. Can’t say I was afraid but I sure was uncomfortable in a way that heights have never made me uncomfortable.

Yes, at about 38 years old. Not sure if it was fear or common sense taking over

Probably because you’re getting older and you’re starting to lose the nerve. When I was younger I had a Genie S-125 almost maxed out at a job in Atlanta. I don’t know if I could do that now.

That's the sign of a fully developed brain.
Falling off ladders and other stuff is the biggest workman's comp claim risk.

Always been afraid of heights. I guess because height can really hurt you.

During my Marine Corps day I loved rappelling and SPIE rigging. After I took off the uniform its like oh hell no. A ladder to the roof is all that I will do now.

sudden, yes; closer to 50ish;
and not 'heights' as such, more specifically it is EDGES; except that glass scenic overlook loop at Grand Canyon. And similar such as observation decks on high buildings. Anything like Black Bear Pass in Telluride. Or 'The Death Road' in Peru.

Ladders: not so bad, until I fell off one, striking head on bench anvil on the way down. It was literally a 2-step step ladder.

Pay attention to that warning your spinctor is trying to send you.

Yes. I am and always have been afraid of heights. I managed to control it and managed it easily enough. I made some 2000+ skydives and thought I could put it behind me. In the 38-40 year range heights is a no go. I can't even put Christmas lights on my house. Its funny as a I still jump but getting up on the roof is terrifying.

I think the low height bother me as my knees and back are in bad shape and I just don't have the balance and ability to recover from any fall. Call it wisdom I guess.

There may be many reasons for the dislike of heights.......age, intelligence, inner ear balance issue, caution, knowledge of someone else's mishap, etc.

I made many parachute jumps while in the military. I would probably do it again today, but please keep me off the second story roof of our house. I think my issue relates to inner ear.

Yep me as well in my thirties seems to be worse on mtn passes with kids in the car.

Jd

It is not unusual. If I recall correctly you posted multiple stressors the past few weeks. Any vertigo associated with it?

Yes.

former Paratrooper, Air Assault, rappelled, high obstacle courses, etc in my Army career. No issues.

Now (50+) do not like ledges, ladders, etc. I went up in the Seattle Space Needle a few years ago as well as hiked almost to the top of Angel's Landing in Zion.

I could do it -- but it was not 'fun' and I had to consciously talk myself through the effort.

Kinda weird.


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Yes, around 40. My younger years height wasn't an issue. Today, no thanks.

Slightly.

I'm a bit older than you, and I'm fine with any sort of big height (cliff, canyon, mountain, whatever), but I really am not keen on going up on a ladder.

I also get skittish when someone else I care about is at the edge. Not concerned for myself, but if the fiancee is looking over the edge, I get worried.

Same thing has gone on with me. Had no fear of heights at all until the past year or so. I am in my mid 60s.
Really cant explain it. Very interesting to know it has happened to others, too.

I was scared of them as a kid but overcame it as an adult. There were things I wanted to do that included heights so I got over it.

At times I have felt a little oh shit what am I doing but it's always weird when it comes up. I've rock climbed and taking falls over 100 feet up. When I'm roped up and know the system is safe I have little fear. When I'm not I sometimes fell it.

Heights never have and still do not bother me. But age has caused a huge decrease of physical ability to operate at height. In other words, I feel very insecure about my stability on roofs. I used to be a regular Tarzan. Not any more.

It happens. I used to be fearless. I'm 48 now.
Two knee surgeries, countless injuries from sports/working. Just don't have the reaction time to recover from a fall anymore.

I've lost the edge.





Link to original video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ar7RSPnM9hE

I don't have a fear of heights, I have a fear of falling.

I always said it wasn't heights, but edges. I'd always picture me dropping things off the edge of a roof (my camera, a baby.. lol). In recent years I've lost the ability to watch anyone be near the edge of a roof, or worse an open hole. I spent my whole life working around open cesspools and now I can't deal with seeing anyone standing near the edge of one, it freaks me out.