Lead Climbing Anxieties

Tim Parkin wrote: One of the key things a lot of people get wrong is to go for some fall practice. Get in a position where they're in for a big fall, get scared, brace themselves, fall - and in the process reinforce the connection between fear and falling.

A better way is to take it really easy  with small falls after clipping above your head and do it so many times you're bored of it and really eager to get to the next stage where you clip at your chest and drop, clip at your waist and drop, etc.

In other words, your state of mind when practising taking falls is imperative to reinforce the right emotional connections

100%.

Foy O wrote: The difference for me was when I stopped just practicing falling and practiced more going for the committing move and if I stick it - sweet. But if I don't, take a good fall.

This ^.

Practicing falling is great, for sure, but practicing pushing yourself in situations where you are likely to fall is even more effective. The key, in either case, is that positive experience (not dying or even getting hurt!) reinforces the trust in the system.