“High bridges, new places, or old elevators may make us a bit uneasy or even frightened.” That’s the first sentence on the Anxiety and Depression Association of America’s Specific Phobias webpage. Not to judge (ok just a little judging) the ADAA’s choice of words, but a “high bridge” scares the bejesus out of me. I’m … Continue reading Just a Little Panic
Bridge Fear
Hey! We’re Not Alone
I have a feeling more people than we think are afraid to cross bridges. When I tell people about my blog people usually have two reactions. They either can't relate at all or they or someone they know is afraid. Chances are someone driving on Budapest's Chain Bridge across the Danube below is. When I went across this … Continue reading Hey! We’re Not Alone
Gephyrophobiac, Gephyrophile, or Pontist?
I learned TWO new words this week. I was reading the blog post An Unusual Bridge and an Unusual Word and there is was, the yin to my yang. GEPHYROPHILE, as defined in the post, describes “people who have a compulsion to cross bridges” while a PONTIST is someone who’s “very interested in bridges.” I … Continue reading Gephyrophobiac, Gephyrophile, or Pontist?
How a Gephyrophobiac Takes a Road Trip, Part 2
Click here for Part 1. I set out for Cape Cod on a Wednesday last October. It was sunny and cool and the best weather you could ask for when taking a road trip and all went smoothly. No traffic and most importantly no encounters with unexpected bridges that I’d missed as I’d hunted for … Continue reading How a Gephyrophobiac Takes a Road Trip, Part 2
How a Gephyrophobiac Takes a Road Trip. Part 1
Why did I drive over the Sagamore Bridge last fall? The suspension bridge connecting mainland Massachusetts to Cape Cod. This bridge. To get to the other side of course. For most people, this is where the joke ends. No big deal. But if you're afraid to cross bridges, like me, it’s a big, big deal. … Continue reading How a Gephyrophobiac Takes a Road Trip. Part 1
Advice for a Gephyrophobiac Bicyclist
A gephyrophobiac bicyclist wrote Gear Prudence, the bike advice columnist at the Washington City Paper (DC) asking how to overcome his fear of riding over bridges. The columnist suggests to "Frightened, Especially Above River" that he: Find a bridge with wide sidewalks so he can ride further from the edge Avoid Bridges with low edges Avoid … Continue reading Advice for a Gephyrophobiac Bicyclist
