Baltimore bridge collapse and coping with gephyrophobia. The fear is more common than you think.

David Oliver, USA TODAY
Updated ·3 min read

The Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed in Baltimore after a cargo ship hit the structure, sending several vehicles into the Patapsco River. If you panicked at the news – I never want to drive on a bridge again! What if that had been me? – you're not alone.

The fear is real and not entirely uncommon, experts say. In fact there's a name for it: gephyrophobia is a phobia of traveling over bridges, usually in a car. Things like mental health care and exposure therapy can help. The first step, for many, might be crossing a bridge again.

"With any fear, the absolute only way to overcome it is through exposure to the thing you are afraid of," says Abigail Marsh, psychologist and neuroscientist and professor at Georgetown University’s Department of Psychology and the Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program. "Fear is a learned behavioral and physiological response to a cue that you have to actively train your body out of. But it's very possible to do."

The Francis Scott Key Bridge, a major span over the Patapsco River in Baltimore, collapsed after it was struck by a large cargo ship, prompting a massive emergency response for multiple people in the water. The Baltimore City Fire Department described the collapse as a mass-casualty incident.
The Francis Scott Key Bridge, a major span over the Patapsco River in Baltimore, collapsed after it was struck by a large cargo ship, prompting a massive emergency response for multiple people in the water. The Baltimore City Fire Department described the collapse as a mass-casualty incident.

Live updates: Baltimore's Key Bridge collapses after ship hits it; construction crew missing

What to know about the fear of bridges

The fear of bridges is common, according to experts.

"It clusters together with both a fear of heights and agoraphobia, with agoraphobia being anxiety about being in any place, or situation where escape might be difficult or embarrassing in the event of having a panic attack," says Kevin Chapman, founder and director of the Kentucky Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders. You might be afraid of feeling trapped, or afraid of heights.

One should distinguish whether this is indeed a phobia or a temporary trauma response.

"It's normal to feel it in your body when you are very high on a tall bridge – that's a natural reaction to heights," Marsh says. "And it's normal to feel worried thinking about what could happen if a bridge collapsed. A true phobia is a degree of fear that interferes with your ability to function and causes extreme distress at the very idea of going over a bridge."

What's more: "People with gephyrophobia may drive hours out of their way to avoid going over a bridge, for example, because they are too distressed at the idea of driving over it," she adds.

Those with broader panic disorder who are prone to panic attacks "worry the feelings will emerge when they can't easily remove themselves to a place where the feelings will subside," says clinical psychologist Martin Self. "So, bridges, tunnels, mass transportations, metro, flying, etc. are the most common places."

Watch: Photos, video show collapse of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge after cargo ship collision

How to get over fear of bridges

Like many mental health conditions, therapists will use both cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure therapy to treat patients.

Cognitive behavioral therapy trains someone to relax on cue while progressively exposed to the fear with the help of a therapist. In this case, it might mean relaxing when looking at pictures of bridges, then imagine traveling over them, according to Marsh.

The exposure component involves confronting scenarios which will differ depending on the specific fear, according to Chapman: Do they need to learn that they can stay on the bridge and not escape? That they can stay on the bridge and not have a panic attack? That they can cross it multiple times and their feared outcome doesn't occur?

"Some bridges offer services like people who will drive your car over the bridge for you so you can just ride with your eyes closed," Marsh adds. "Apparently, for many people with gephyrophobia, part of the fear is that they will get so anxious in the middle of the bridge that they won't be able to cope. It's fear of fear itself, in a way. So being driven by someone else over the bridge can be helpful."

For some, though, the bridge collapse "may also just trigger some temporary anxiety that will subside over time, in which case treatment may not be warranted," says Martin Antony, professor and chair of the Department of Psychology at Toronto Metropolitan University.

When in doubt, talk to someone about how you're feeling. Help is available no matter how severe your distress.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Baltimore bridge collapse: Fear of bridges, gephyrophobia, explained