# what is the name for this?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-for-this/115648>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [June 24, 2002, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-for-this/115648 "2002-06-24T03:24:01Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![cheezit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c57346/32.png) [@cheezit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cheezit)\
**Post date:** [June 24, 2002, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-for-this/115648/1 "2002-06-24T03:24:01Z")

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I don’t think it is actually a fear of heights, per se’. But, for instance, let’s assume that I am on the top floor of a parking garage. I am not bothered by being up there until I get toward the edge of the building and I look over the edge. Then my legs get weak and tingly sort of. As soon as I step back from the edge, it goes away. It doesn’t have to be on the top floor either. It will be the same if I stand on a chair to change a ceiling light bulb.

What is this, what causes it and how do I get rid of it?

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**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\
**Post date:** [June 24, 2002, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-for-this/115648/2 "2002-06-24T03:30:10Z")

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Kinda reminds me of “I’m not afraid of heights, just falling from them.” I’m somewhat like that also. I’m not at all afraid of heights, but when I am up high (even just a few feet) I get nervous leaning against things around the edge, like railings, floor to ceiling windows, etc…

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**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\
**Post date:** [June 24, 2002, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-for-this/115648/3 "2002-06-24T03:39:08Z")

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I believe it’s called vertigo.

Haj

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**Author:** ![jb\_farley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9d8465/32.png) [@jb\_farley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jb_farley)\
**Post date:** [June 24, 2002, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-for-this/115648/4 "2002-06-24T03:40:03Z")

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i believe that’s vertigo.

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**Author:** ![cheezit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c57346/32.png) [@cheezit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cheezit)\
**Post date:** [June 24, 2002, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-for-this/115648/5 "2002-06-24T03:43:58Z")

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It may be vertigo, but from what little I have read on Vertigo, there is dizzyness involved. But I don’t get dizzy. Just “weak in the knees”.