The fear of bridges IS a big deal for many people. Even I get uneasy about crossing a bridge and I regularly cross the Golden Gate Bridge (will be going over it this morning).
Fortunately,gephyrophobia is treatable. A Navy wife friend many years ago was successfully treated and has no problem now. While the writing the book, I discovered a local organization in San Diego is contracted by the Navy to help soldiers and sailors deal with PTSD and other phobias that crop up, using the technology described in Bridging Two Hearts.
When I called to interview them, they had an entire program already set up to deal with the Coronado Bridge. Happy reading!