Acrophobia

[Roy_Lynne]

I'm wondering if anyone else has a fear of heights and has trouble driving along mountain roads and how you handle it. We are planning a long trip and I just hate the idea of missing sites we want to go to because of this darn fear. I'm so crazy I go to google maps and follow the road so I can see if I'm going to have trouble.

[Roy_Lynne]

As the driver. I thought about letting hubby drive but not having control is worse I think It helps to know that I'm not alone

I had a Class A and I had that same sensation of falling over, I got home and traded it for a C, as I sit lower to the ground so I got over that issue but the Acrophobia is still with me.

[Janss]

Are you asking as the driver or as the passenger?

I not only have fear of heights, but also overly-sensitive with centrifugal force...driving (or riding) curves. Maybe an inner ear problem. I feel like the whole motorhome is going to fall over. I cannot be the passenger. Way too scary. Even as the driver, I won't turn my head off the road in front of me while on a curve. My eyes can go left and right, but not my head. So that's how I drive while in the mountains and while on curves...focused on the road right in front of me. At least it makes me feel more in control than being the passenger. Luckily, I have a co-pilot who points out things when necessary.

All this being said...I am a good driver, albeit slow and cautious.

The thing about fear is that it's mostly in our heads, and not reality. Most likely, all the roads you choose will be safe roads that thousands of other RVers drive on. And remember, the discomfort will only last for short periods of time, compared to all the great experiences in beautiful scenery.

[Johno02]

That's why I drive. The view from the passenger side scares the H... out of me. I will go a long way around to avoid Interstate fly-overs. When I do have to take one, they have one slow lane, with a white stripe in the center of it, and wide shoulders. You don't want to be behind me.

[Johno02]

That's why I drive. The view from the passenger side scares the H... out of me.

[romore]

Opie431 wrote:
My daughter puts something over her head.

I hope she is not driving.:) Seriously, I was terrified of heights when I was a kid. I hated riding through the mountains.
I am much better now but still get weak knees looking over a sheer drop, when driving I keep my eyes glued to the road. I had to get used to it driving on logging roads for a previous employer, some of them nearly gave me gray hair and religion.

[Naio]

sch911 wrote:
Let someone else drive.

Yes! While you hide out in the back and read a book or whatever. Not looking out the windows unless you want to :).

[GMandJM]

Same thing....mountains, high bridges and super-tall buildings bring on the queasy-panicky feeling. Have tried everything to get over it - even hang gliding.

Someone told me that it can be caused by inner-ear issues, so I got that checked out. (Nope.)

If not driving, I close my eyes and have someone tell me when we're over it. Like Broken Oak, if I'm driving I just grab the wheel tightly and look down the center of the road.

[sch911]

Let someone else drive.

[Broken_Oak]

I have a terrible problem with heights and where we live I had to learn to just look at the road and make that terrible 13 mile drive to the top. Self training for many years, every now and then I will have a bad day and have to make the most of it. Look straight ahead and keep your eyes on the road or review mirror. It works for me.

Carmen D

[Pangaea_Ron]

My cousin's wife from Finland goes into the fetal position when she is frightened by heights. She was a good sport and loved the experience when it was over.

Perhaps we shouldn't have driven to Hurricane Ridge in Olympic NP, or Dead Horse Point on the road to Hart's Pass in the North Cascades, WA.

[Opie431]

My daughter puts something over her head.