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So now I suddenly have a fear of bridges

Posted on 2/23/21 at 5:59 pm
Posted by Shaken not Stirred
Member since Jun 2020
576 posts
Posted on 2/23/21 at 5:59 pm
Just the really tall ones, like the Skyway Bridge south of Tampa, Fl

I had to drive over that monster twice this past week on our way to and from Key West.

No prior fear of heights, as I have jumped off of bridges up to 80 ft off the water in my younger days, as well as an airplane or two.

But driving up that giant S.O.B. both times had my heart racing and knees turning to jelly. The wife got a kick out of it, as she has never seen me bothered by anything in our many years together.

FWIW, it's known as Gephyrophobia, or fear of (high) bridges.

FWIW, I give you the culprit


FYI, I have driven over many bridges in my life, including many crossing the Mississippi. Never a stray thought. This was different in every way imaginable.
Posted by wileyjones
Member since May 2014
2342 posts
Posted on 2/23/21 at 6:01 pm to
quote:

many crossing the Mississippi. Never a stray thought. This was different in every way imaginable

No burning 18 wheelers?
Posted by BallsEleven
Member since Mar 2019
6163 posts
Posted on 2/23/21 at 6:01 pm to
Come to Lake Charles if you want a flashback.
Posted by L1C4
The Ville
Member since Aug 2017
13468 posts
Posted on 2/23/21 at 6:02 pm to
That thing is pretty scary.
Posted by blueridgeTiger
Granbury, TX
Member since Jun 2004
20485 posts
Posted on 2/23/21 at 6:02 pm to
Posted by LSUGrrrl
Frisco, TX
Member since Jul 2007
33847 posts
Posted on 2/23/21 at 6:03 pm to
I developed that fear about 6 years ago while driving over the Mississippi Rover bridge in Natchez. No idea why.
Posted by beerJeep
Louisiana
Member since Nov 2016
35338 posts
Posted on 2/23/21 at 6:03 pm to
quote:

I have jumped off of bridges up to 80 ft off the water


Mmmhmmmmmm
Posted by Spelt it rong
Louisiana
Member since Oct 2012
10060 posts
Posted on 2/23/21 at 6:06 pm to
Sounds like you were
quote:

Shaken not Stirred
Posted by jimbeam
University of LSU
Member since Oct 2011
75703 posts
Posted on 2/23/21 at 6:07 pm to
I’m terrified of heights but have never been scared on a bridge. While in a car
Posted by 50407Tiger
Member since Oct 2019
1227 posts
Posted on 2/23/21 at 6:09 pm to
Posted by Obtuse1
Westside Bodymore Yo
Member since Sep 2016
26188 posts
Posted on 2/23/21 at 6:09 pm to
When I was in my late 20s I did a stupid thought experiment. I realized I didn't have any irrational fears so I decided for some weird reason to invent one, I chose bridges. I fostered it so long basically as a joke to myself I actually started to get anxious driving over the larger ones, fortunately it was as easy to break as to manifest. Now I only get anxious on the Calcasieu River Bridge and the GW bridge between NY and NJ. The former could fall down at any minute and driving the lower level of the GW has potholes you could lose a VW in so I consider both of those to be completely rational fears.
Posted by NWarty
Somewhere in the PNW
Member since Sep 2013
2181 posts
Posted on 2/23/21 at 6:10 pm to
Been over this one several times. It’s outside of Shelton, WA and called “the high steel bridge”. Makes me super queasy going over it.

Posted by LSUtoBOOT
Member since Aug 2012
12686 posts
Posted on 2/23/21 at 6:11 pm to
Posted by The Boat
Member since Oct 2008
164666 posts
Posted on 2/23/21 at 6:11 pm to
Here's a solution if you're being a bitch about that bridge.

Take I-75 around Tampa/St Pete instead of I-275 through the cities. I-75 is quicker anyways.
Posted by TexasTiger08
Member since Oct 2006
25608 posts
Posted on 2/23/21 at 6:15 pm to
This is a visual model of the old and currently under construction new bridge here in town. I’ve driven the old one hundreds of times without any fear. The new one keeps getting higher and higher, and I’ve already started to think it may make me think twice.

Posted by BorrisMart
La
Member since Jul 2020
8847 posts
Posted on 2/23/21 at 6:15 pm to
If it makes you feel any betters something about the Bonne Carre gives me anxiety, idk why its not high up or anything, maybe its the lack of shoulder space or something idk. I hope to never have to cross the causeway ever again either.
Posted by theunknownknight
Baton Rouge
Member since Sep 2005
57526 posts
Posted on 2/23/21 at 6:15 pm to
Wear your mask
Posted by Quigley
Down Under
Member since Jul 2009
4007 posts
Posted on 2/23/21 at 6:15 pm to
Dealt with it myself about 10 years ago. Took longer than I'd like to admit but I eventually got over it by just facing the fear. Trick I used when driving was looking at license plate on car in front of me and trying to come up with different words out of the letters or multiplying the numbers on the plate in my head as high as I could take it until I got over the bridge. This kept my eyes on the road but distracted my brain from the stupid anxiety that was trying to take over.
Posted by Jim Rockford
Member since May 2011
98757 posts
Posted on 2/23/21 at 6:18 pm to
You know who else has a fear of bridges? TulaneLSU.
Posted by SlickRick55
Member since May 2016
1916 posts
Posted on 2/23/21 at 6:19 pm to
It’s called getting older, folks. I used to not be afraid of heights, claustrophobic, prone to motion sickness, etc, etc , the list goes on.
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