Fear of open high places cannot truly be considered an irrational fear. Unlike a fear of aluminum foil for example, the fear of open high places has a basis in realistic danger. If you are in a very high place with no walls to protect you, however slight it may be, there does exist the possibility of falling.
One might ask if there is a general fear of open places. Also is there a general fear of heights? Or is it simply the two combined that creates anxiety in this individual? There is definitely some sense in the belief that while something might be good, is not necessarily good when combined with something else. Bleach and ammonia are a very good example of this. Bleach by itself is great, as is ammonia. However when you combine the two you have a deadly combination.
High open places are a unique experience for most of the human senses. The view is obviously different. The smells and sounds from a high open place are very different than what is experienced on the street below. Even the air-quality changes as one goes to a higher place. This different sensory experience can leave many people feeling confused and a bit off-balance. If an individual tends to be a bit less graceful, avoiding open high places may actually be a pretty good idea.
People who wash windows in very high buildings, and the people who construct these buildings are seldom out of work. There is a reason for this. If there was no danger involved in this line of work, there would be a line of people waiting for this type of job, as the pay is quite good. The fact of the matter is, that a real danger does exist.
Unless your fear of open high places causes you to alter your life in a negative manner, it is probably not a serious problem.
