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Barophobia is the irrational fear of gravity. Individuals suffering from barophobia can either have the fear that gravity might crush them, the fear of falling because of the gravity involved (distinct from the fear of heights), or even the fear that gravity might cease to exist and they will float away.
Traumatic experiences involving gravity usually causes this fear, like falling down and getting injured, or even as trivial as learning about the nature of gravity. Symptoms of barophobia varies among individuals. Symptoms include palpitations, tremors, dry mouth, dizziness, breathlessness and hyperventilation, muscle tension, feeling trapped, and feeling out of control. This phobia is can be treated in a variety of ways, such as talk therapy and exposure therapy.
The word barophobia comes from the Greek baros, meaning "weight" and phóbos, meaning "fear".
