Question

tom has acrophobia, a fear of heights. as a result, he refuses to participate in any activity that involves heights, such as rock climbing, going over tall bridges, and flying on airplanes. what type of disorder does tom have?

Answer 1

Tom suffers from acrophobia, a specific phobia that causes a severe fear of heights. His condition leads him to avoid activities like rock climbing and flying, which are directly connected to this intense fear. Therapy, particularly cognitive-behavioral therapy, is a common way to treat such phobias.

Step-by-step explanation:

Tom has acrophobia, which is a specific phobia, particularly a severe fear of heights. This kind of anxiety disorder can significantly impact one's quality of life, as it may cause individuals to avoid situations or activities that involve being at a high elevation. In Tom's case, his acrophobia is manifesting in his refusal to engage in rock climbing, crossing tall bridges, or traveling on airplanes due to the fear induced by these height-related activities.

Specific phobias like acrophobia are typically treated with therapy, especially cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which often includes exposure therapy aimed at desensitizing the individual to the feared situation or object. In some cases, medication may be prescribed to manage the anxiety symptoms associated with the phobia.