Current:Home > ScamsBaltimore bridge collapse and coping with gephyrophobia. The fear is more common than you think.-LoTradeCoin
Baltimore bridge collapse and coping with gephyrophobia. The fear is more common than you think.
View Date:2024-12-23 23:24:09
The Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed in Baltimore after a cargo ship hit the structure, sending several vehicles into the Patapsco River. If you panicked at the news – I never want to drive on a bridge again! What if that had been me? – you're not alone.
The fear is real and not entirely uncommon, experts say. In fact there's a name for it: gephyrophobia is a phobia of traveling over bridges, usually in a car. Things like mental health care and exposure therapy can help. The first step, for many, might be crossing a bridge again.
"With any fear, the absolute only way to overcome it is through exposure to the thing you are afraid of," says Abigail Marsh, psychologist and neuroscientist and professor at Georgetown University’s Department of Psychology and the Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program. "Fear is a learned behavioral and physiological response to a cue that you have to actively train your body out of. But it's very possible to do."
Live updates:Baltimore's Key Bridge collapses after ship hits it; construction crew missing
What to know about the fear of bridges
The fear of bridges is common, according to experts.
"It clusters together with both a fear of heights and agoraphobia, with agoraphobia being anxiety about being in any place, or situation where escape might be difficult or embarrassing in the event of having a panic attack," says Kevin Chapman, founder and director of the Kentucky Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders. You might be afraid of feeling trapped, or afraid of heights.
One should distinguish whether this is indeed a phobia or a temporary trauma response.
"It's normal to feel it in your body when you are very high on a tall bridge – that's a natural reaction to heights," Marsh says. "And it's normal to feel worried thinking about what could happen if a bridge collapsed. A true phobia is a degree of fear that interferes with your ability to function and causes extreme distress at the very idea of going over a bridge."
What's more: "People with gephyrophobia may drive hours out of their way to avoid going over a bridge, for example, because they are too distressed at the idea of driving over it," she adds.
Those with broader panic disorder who are prone to panic attacks "worry the feelings will emerge when they can't easily remove themselves to a place where the feelings will subside," says clinical psychologist Martin Self. "So, bridges, tunnels, mass transportations, metro, flying, etc. are the most common places."
Watch:Photos, video show collapse of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge after cargo ship collision
How to get over fear of bridges
Like many mental health conditions, therapists will use both cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure therapy to treat patients.
Cognitive behavioral therapy trains someone to relax on cue while progressively exposed to the fear with the help of a therapist. In this case, it might mean relaxing when looking at pictures of bridges, then imagine traveling over them, according to Marsh.
The exposure component involves confronting scenarios which will differ depending on the specific fear, according to Chapman: Do they need to learn that they can stay on the bridge and not escape? That they can stay on the bridge and not have a panic attack? That they can cross it multiple times and their feared outcome doesn't occur?
"Some bridges offer services like people who will drive your car over the bridge for you so you can just ride with your eyes closed," Marsh adds. "Apparently, for many people with gephyrophobia, part of the fear is that they will get so anxious in the middle of the bridge that they won't be able to cope. It's fear of fear itself, in a way. So being driven by someone else over the bridge can be helpful."
For some, though, the bridge collapse "may also just trigger some temporary anxiety that will subside over time, in which case treatment may not be warranted," says Martin Antony, professor and chair of the Department of Psychology at Toronto Metropolitan University.
When in doubt, talk to someone about how you're feeling. Help is available no matter how severe your distress.
veryGood! (394)
Related
- Texas man accused of supporting ISIS charged in federal court
- UFO Museum in Roswell, New Mexico, reaches 5 million visitors
- Nick Cannon Twins With His and Brittany Bell's 3 Kids in Golden Christmas Photos
- AP PHOTOS: Rosalynn Carter’s farewell tracing her 96 years from Plains to the world and back
- As Northeast wildfires keep igniting, is there a drought-buster in sight?
- Astronomers discover rare sight: 6 planets orbiting star in 'pristine configuration'
- Madagascar’s top court ratifies president’s reelection in vote boycotted by opposition
- Iowa Lottery announces wrong winning numbers from Monday Powerball drawing, cites human error
- Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul VIP fight package costs a whopping $2M. Here's who bought it.
- LeBron James says he will skip Lakers game when son, Bronny, makes college basketball debut
Ranking
- Are Ciara Ready and Russell Wilson Ready For Another Baby? She Says…
- Has COP28 President Sultan al-Jaber Used the UN Climate Summit to Advance the Interests of UAE’s Oil Company?
- The surfing venue for the Paris Olympics is on the other side of the world but could steal the show
- Guatemalan electoral magistrates leave the country hours after losing immunity from prosecution
- Oprah Winfrey denies being paid $1M for Kamala Harris rally: 'I was not paid a dime'
- Fed’s Powell notes inflation is easing but downplays discussion of interest rate cuts
- Sandra Day O'Connor showed sense of humor during interaction with ex-Commanders RB
- AP PHOTOS: Rosalynn Carter’s farewell tracing her 96 years from Plains to the world and back
Recommendation
-
Taylor Swift's Mom Andrea Gives Sweet Nod to Travis Kelce at Chiefs Game
-
'May December': Natalie Portman breaks down that 'extraordinary' three-minute monologue
-
Inmate transport driver who quit mid-trip and refused to stop charged with kidnapping, sheriff says
-
A look inside the United States' first-ever certified Blue Zone located in Minnesota
-
NFL coaches diversity report 2024: Gains at head coach, setbacks at offensive coordinator
-
Ronaldo hit with $1 billion class-action lawsuit for endorsing Binance NFTs
-
Powell says Fed could raise rates further if inflation doesn't continue to ease
-
Where to watch 'Love Actually' this holiday season: Streaming info, TV times, cast