FearOf.net

  • Top 100 Phobias
  • Top 10 Phobias
  • Anxiety Test
  • Fear?
  • Treatment
  • Facts
  • Phobias
  • Books
  • Shirts
  • Stories
  • Chat

Fear of Bridges Phobia – Gephyrophobia

Fear of Bridges Phobia - GephyrophobiaGephyrophobia (pronounced as Jeff-ee-ro-pho-bia) is a common specific phobia affecting many individuals. People with this phobia are afraid of crossing bridges or tunnels: driving over a bridge or even seeing one from afar or seeing photos/movies involving bridges can set off an anxiety attack in the sufferer.

Often the phobic realizes that his fear is unwarranted and irrational; but he is completely unable to overcome it. The fear of bridges or tunnels can thus affect one’s professional and personal life in that; one might refuse to drive or travel or will likely make career decisions that revolve around his fear. Drivers might swerve or brake dangerously upon seeing a bridge, thereby endangering one’s life as well as of those around. The fear of bridges phobia can thus be quite debilitating.

Causes of fear of bridges phobia

Most Gephyrophobics fear bridges that run over large water bodies. Their fear, like all other phobias, might have its roots embedded in the past. A negative or traumatic experience involving bridges might have set it off.

The fear is also linked to the fear of heights or Acrophobia. Most bridges run over large valleys or water bodies at a great height. Additionally, some bridges may be small or restricted leading to claustrophobia or the fear of small restricted spaces. An accident or death witnessed by the phobic over a bridge might lead to creation of a similar fear response over and over. The anxiety is the mind’s way of protecting the individual from ‘supposedly dangerous’ situations.

Many individuals fear that the bridge might collapse or that the driver might lose control of the vehicle and crash into the depths below. Such fear is valid and normal in most people; but in case of a Gephyrophobic it can lead to severe anxiety symptoms.

Movie scenes or news reports of accidents that have occurred over a bridge can also lead to this phobia especially in people who are already suffering from other anxiety disorders. Adrenal deficiency can sometimes play a role in triggering this phobia.

Symptoms of Gephyrophobia

Anxiety and panic attacks are common symptoms of the fear of bridges phobia.

  • Shortness of breath when driving over a bridge.
  • The phobic might squeeze his eyes shut, or experience rapid heart rate and sweaty palms.
  • Numbness from head to toe, tingling sensation, shaking, trembling or feeling nauseated are some other symptoms of Gephyrophobia.
  • Feelings and thoughts of death, crashing, experiencing violent or negative images or movie stills in the mind are a few psychological symptoms of this phobia.

Many Gephyrophobic individuals try to avoid bridges: seeing pictures, driving over them etc. They might use excuses, lie or avoid situations to avoid bridges.

Treating and overcoming the fear of bridges phobia

Breathing exercises and meditation are two powerful self help techniques recommended by phobics who have successfully overcome their Gephyrophobia. Upon arriving at a bridge, you must try to regulate your breathing and count slowly from 1-10 to ease your anxiety.

Gradual desensitization is one of the best methods of overcoming Gephyrophobia. Start by driving over smaller bridges or simply seeing movies or pictures involving bridges. Try to breathe deeply when doing so. This can help prepare you to cross larger bridges gradually.

Rationalizing negative thoughts by writing down positive thoughts is another self help technique to ease anxiety associated with Gephyrophobia. Friends and loved ones can also help during the process. They can drive you over smaller bridges so that you gradually conquer your fear and cross large bridges alone without experiencing anxiety and panic.

Quiz: Do You Have An Anxiety Disorder? Test Yourself Now

Talk therapy, psychiatric counseling, Hypnotherapy are other tried and tested therapies that can help you overcome Gephyrophobia once and for all.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Google
  • Email
What do you fear? Share your phobias with other visitors on this site and read about their stories/phobias.
Connect with others and share your experiences in our community chat room. Sign in anonymously now.

Comments

  1. John says

    July 9, 2017 at 10:36 am

    Is there a discussion group for this crazy issue, I used to go to Manhattan several times a week, bridges and Lincoln tunnel and now, if I accidentally find myself on a bridge I shake violently and almost think I will have an immediate heart attack and harm others! Seems so darn stupid, deep breathing and other suggestions don’t work. the minute I’m on until off I am going to either kill myself or others its that bad. I think there has to be some warning of bridges ahead that way we can either turnaround or switch drivers.

    Reply
  2. Susannah says

    June 22, 2017 at 7:41 am

    I have always had a problem with heights, and not good with bridges, but could concentrate my way over them. But today, at 53 years old, I was visiting Oregon, didn’t know they call it the city of bridges, and I lost it. The is a bridge that’s 4 miles long and I almost ended up on it. After that I cried and was afraid to drive at all in case I mistakenly ended up on a bridge. I had a panic attack and called my sister in CA to Google how to get to the airport without ending up on a bridge. Once in line at the airport security I couldn’t stop crying, I felt sick all over. I feel a little sick and numb just writing this. I can’t believe this has developed in to such a big thing at 53. I live in CA and am looking to move, but now my choices have suddenly become very limited. I HATE bridges!! I’m single and afraid it’s going to make me seem like a nut job, and very high maintenance. Just what I needed. Ugh!

    Reply
  3. Amanda says

    June 12, 2017 at 11:36 pm

    I’m looking at relocating to Jacksonville and just saw it’s the city of bridges. YIKES! I’m deathly afraid of bridges, especially over water. Any tricks to help?

    Reply
  4. John says

    June 1, 2017 at 6:50 am

    I am almost at a complete loss because of my fear of bridges, its now got to the point even as a passenger I almost have the same symptoms ‘extreme anxiety’. I try to completely avoid all bridges with exception of small bridges. Its become debilitating and interfering with my job and personal life.

    Reply
  5. John Smith says

    November 6, 2016 at 8:30 pm

    When I have walked up to the middle of the bridge I really feel like it is starting to move and its going to break. Like the asphalt is soft under my feet. Then after crossing the middle and going near to the other end, the sensation goes away. I have felt this way walking on a narrow bridge not a large one.

    Reply
  6. Simone Ross says

    August 17, 2016 at 8:22 pm

    My fear is to drive across Bridges. I go into panic mode and my body tightens up. I am ok when someone else is driving, but when I am behind the wheel I am stuck.

    Reply
  7. A student chef says

    May 18, 2016 at 4:42 pm

    My fear of bridges extends back to a childhood trauma: I was held over the side of a bridge for punishment. Since then, I have a problem with bridges. I am fine with heights and crossing overpasses on the roadways (feel safe knowing they won’t collapse!) but Steel arch bridges, walkways, and those over the water bridges produce intense fear and outright nausea.

    Reply
  8. john rolf thenor says

    March 7, 2016 at 7:43 pm

    I have the same problem too. A few years ago, I got stuck in new york. I waited 2 hours for a family member to come and drive me past the manhattan bridge. Horrific situation. The sad thing is there is no remedy or real solution to overcome that phobia.

    Reply
  9. Not sure says

    December 1, 2015 at 9:27 am

    So I like heights, rappelling and tree climbing no issue. I enjoy the water, kayaking, sailing, snorkeling. But bridges over water of any height. Total pucker factor. But I love architectural drawings of bridges as well as pictures. What’s that all about? Can this also be caused by poor adrenal production or adrenal burn out?

    Reply
  10. arnold tropper says

    October 28, 2015 at 7:11 pm

    I have similar fears to those mentioned above.. large bridges over water cause my heart to beat fast, I sweat, get dizzy, etc. I always pull over and have my wife or daughter drive over the bridge. I have to drive from New York to Florida.. does anyone know where I can get a list of bridges that I have to cross starting with the Verrazano and moving south?

    Reply
  11. Jimmy Elkins says

    October 15, 2015 at 3:23 am

    I am afraid to look to the right or left when driving across a bridge. I do not want anyone in the vehicle to talk to me. I am terrified until I get to the point where there is land beneath me. It is a real fear that I wish I did not have.

    Reply
    • ayana says

      May 30, 2016 at 2:37 am

      Hi Friend, I too can relate to your story. I completed my 2nd bridge walk this week. I love walking and I have many bridges that I love, but once I get in the middle of a beloved bridge, I feel as if I’m going to fly off and die. But I’m determined to get past this annoying phobia. Tomorrow I am planning to walk over the George Washington bridge. Just the thought makes me sick.

      Reply
    • Sharon says

      January 30, 2017 at 2:11 am

      I too have a difficult time driving over bridges with water. I feel as if the car lifts up off of the ground and that I no longer have control.

      Reply
  12. Elexas Mathenia says

    September 23, 2015 at 7:41 pm

    I’m not afraid of all bridges just some.

    Reply
  13. Vineice Mitchell says

    June 14, 2015 at 5:39 am

    I’m not afraid of all bridges, it’s all how my brain see the structure of the bridge that determines my fear. If the bridge is big and very tall in structure, my fear kicks in and I can’t drive across it myself. I can if I’m a passenger. I have a deep hatred of my phobia, wish I never had it. It complicates my life!

    Reply
    • debbie says

      August 5, 2015 at 6:32 pm

      YES, it’s the same with me. I can be a passenger just not a driver, and all bridges are not equal it depends on how it looks – if it looks like we’re driving to heaven, I go cold and panic. A low flat bridge is no issue.

      Reply
      • HeightsWuss says

        August 30, 2016 at 5:37 am

        Same thing here, a lot of it is like the ingress of the bridge, a certain angle/sight of it sometimes swings a full panic (sense of dizziness or loss of control, though never happens) . This became an issue to me around 40, before then no problems, always had a fear of heights but driving over bridges/heights never bothered me as long as I was “inside” something. Seems like bridges with the girders going along the top seem to freak me out more, also ones with no emergency lane/narrow lanes are worse. If I’m in the passenger seat, no worries, a few drinks in the passenger seat, really no worries. Incredibly annoying and almost reaching the point of hindering my life as even certain bridges in my local area I actively avoid….this first happened on a road trip to Memphis, going into Memphis from Arkansas I was fine, leaving I was looking for the first place to exit to get a grip!

        Reply
        • Thomas says

          December 28, 2016 at 4:02 pm

          Wow, I want to thank everyone. I am experiencing the same fear and can really relate to your stories. I had a terrible panic attack while trying to Newport RI and attempting to get over the Jamestown Verazzoano Bridge. I got stuck in Jamestown after because one look at the Clainborne Pell Bridge I had to pull over. I was by myself, it was terrible.

          Reply
        • Roxanne says

          February 7, 2017 at 11:47 pm

          How you have accurately decribed my symptoms and fears. Thank you. My family call my fears crazy and leave at that. For years I have experienced ridicule and embarrassment because they couldn’t relate to my symptoms. I’m so glad I found this site. Thank all of you !!

          Reply
  14. Ethan White says

    May 27, 2015 at 5:23 am

    I don’t really have a phobia of bridges per say, but I do tend to have subtle feelings of unease when standing underneath them. Not small foot bridges, mind you – but large, concrete overpasses (like those that cross rivers, valleys, bays, interstates, etc). It doesn’t bother me to DRIVE under them, because I’m only under them for a split second, but walking, standing, or parking underneath one.

    The other day, I was setting up to shoot a video beside a river, and I had to walk under a HUGE concrete bridge that carries a state highway over the river. (The support beams underneath the deck are gargantuan, 9 to 10 foot tall metal I-beams). Every time I got near the bridge or heard cars passing overhead, I had thoughts of it collapsing, either from the weight of the vehicles, or just from it’s own weight.

    Reply
    • Englishman says

      October 4, 2015 at 1:00 am

      Yours is the first account I have read in over half a century (yep, I’m old!) where the phobia is about the UNDERSIDE of bridges. I suffer with not being able to go near overhead railway bridges (especially the steel ones) that cross roads and thoroughfares without being scared witless. Even seeing them makes me very anxious.

      I am not sure if the term ‘gephyrophobia’ strictly applies to my fear, which I recognize as very irrational, as I have only ever seen it described as a phobia about walking or driving ACROSS bridges. I have such bad vibes when I know I am nearing the vicinity of overhead railway bridges that I paw over street maps of the areas in order to find alternative routes rather than face my nemeses. I even applied for jobs where the locations were specifically nowhere near roads where railway bridges crossed over them. The sight of them makes my stomach curdle and I break out into a cold sweat.

      There seems to be a phobia name for those who don’t like to cross bridges, but not a collective name for someone with my particular phobia, so I’ve always wondered if I’m unique.

      Reply
  15. Carolyn Martin says

    May 15, 2015 at 4:54 pm

    I am in the process of relocating and the only way to reach my destination is by bridges or tunnel. I am not terrified of bridges, but I experience anxiety as I approach them and about mid way, my body is feeling very light or numb. I plan to travel the tunnel route next time. Not sure how that will work since I don’t like being closed in? However, I want to thank you for the suggested tips on this web site.

    Sincerely,
    Excited to move, sad for bridge travel

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

About

Hi, my name is Jacob Olesen.
I want to point you in the right direction towards a better life without fear and anxiety.

Do you like my website? Tell me about it here.
You are also welcome to send me a quick email.
Always contact your doctor for medical advice.

JOIN US

What Readers Are Saying

Thanks for all the great info. I’m learning so much about new phobias I never... — Mac

Thank you so much, you’ve really helped me recover from my phobia. — Anonymous

This is the most thorough site about phobias I’ve seen. Good job! — Rhonda

Thank you, this was very helpful because I am doing a report on fears. I got good... — Jeremy

Read More

Do You Have an Anxiety Disorder? Test Your Fear Level

Do You Have an Anxiety Disorder? Test Your Fear Level

Top 10 Phobia List

  • 1. Fear of Spiders – Arachnophobia
  • 2. Fear of Snakes – Ophidiophobia
  • 3. Fear of Heights – Acrophobia
  • 4. Fear of Open Spaces – Agoraphobia
  • 5. Fear of Dogs – Cynophobia
  • 6. Fear of Thunderstorms – Astraphobia
  • 7. Fear of Small Spaces – Claustrophobia
  • 8. Fear of Germs – Mysophobia
  • 9. Fear of Flying – Aerophobia
  • 10. Fear of Holes – Trypophobia

Most Popular

  • Do You Have an Anxiety Disorder?
  • Fear of Crowds Phobia – Enochlophobia
  • Fear of the Ocean Phobia – Thalassophobia
  • Top 10 Phobias of All Time – 2018 Update
  • Fear of Feet Phobia – Podophobia
  • Top 10 Books for Overcoming Phobias
  • Fear of Ducks Phobia – Anatidaephobia
  • Fear of Holes Phobia – Trypophobia
  • Fear of Cockroaches Phobia – Katsaridaphobia
  • The Most Surprising Celebrity Phobias
Fear of Corpses or Dead Things Phobia – Necrophobia

Fear of Corpses or Dead Things Phobia – Necrophobia

Necrophobia is an intense anxiety disorder characterized by the fear of dead bodies or corpses. The word Necrophobia is derived from Greek nekros meaning corpse and phob(os) meaning fear or anxiety. … [Read More...]

The content on this site is NOT a substitute for medical advice. Always contact your doctor for correct diagnosis and treatment · Privacy Policy · Disclaimer · Copyright © 2018

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.