Acrophobia, or fear of heights

Acrophobia, or the fear of heights, is an excessive and irrational fear triggered by elevated or particularly high places. It is a specific situational phobia that can hinder social, professional, and everyday life. This extreme anxiety is considered dysfunctional because it is unrelated to the actual danger of the situation. As a result, panic can occur either in real-life scenarios or through imagined situations. The use of virtual reality for acrophobia aims to reduce this panic and help individuals regain a sense of calm in such situations.

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“Virtual reality is 80% effective, with benefits lasting for more than a year after treatment.” Eric Malbos, Psychiatrist

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CHU, Liberals, Hospitals, Clinics

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Efficacy

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Users

Every day

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Equipped practitioners

CHU, Liberals, Hospitals, Clinics

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Efficacy

Another year later 

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Users

Every day

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Years

Of technological advancements

Why such efficacy ?

1. Immersion

The user will be immersed in virtual environments designed to recreate anxiety-provoking high-altitude situations.

2. Cognitive restructuring

The user will unlearn negative reactions, such as catastrophic thoughts (“I’m going to fall”), and rebuild positive thought patterns (“I am safe”).

3. Repetition

Through repeated exposures, these patterns will become quickly and permanently ingrained in your mental functioning.

4. Progressiveness

The gradual increase in the difficulty of the environments will allow the user to progressively desensitize to the anxiety experienced and regain confidence in their abilities.

5. Personalization

With Artificial Intelligence, they will be supported and encouraged in a personalized way throughout the exposures.

Receive the C2Care method for free, combining Artificial Intelligence and Virtual Reality !

The AI revolution !

We use Artificial Intelligence both through a coach named Camille and through virtual characters within the scenes. Camille provides support and acts as a trusted companion to whom you can share your concerns without fear of judgment. On the other hand, the virtual characters faithfully replicate real-life social behaviors. You will be able to interact with them in various everyday contexts, such as a party, a date, a job interview, or a spontaneous conversation on the street. Learn more

The different situations for fear of the void !

Buildings

Buildings

Buildings can be a significant source of anxiety for individuals with acrophobia due to various triggers : walkways, stairs, glass floors, glass elevators… Encountering others in a narrow passageway can also heighten the fear of falling into the void. All conditions can be adjusted to suit individual needs, enabling progressive and safe exposure therapy.

Cliff

Nature and hiking can be enjoyable, but for those with a fear of heights, such activities are daunting. The possibility of falling, the absence of safety railings, the perception of an unstable environment, or dangerous weather conditions can all trigger anxiety.
Each environment allows exposure to natural scenarios in a controlled and safe setting.

Cliff

Bridges

Bridges

Bridges are increasingly common, and it is easy to find oneself on one unexpectedly, leading to rising anxiety or even becoming frozen with fear while above a highway. The height, the risk of falling, the vehicles below, and the noise all amplify the stress.
Virtual reality helps overcome this fear by recreating realistic and progressive scenarios, allowing users to regain confidence in their ability to face such obstacles.

Lives changed thanks to our method.

Feel free to customize your exhibitions for a fully immersive experience !

Each environment can be personalized by precisely choosing the situation to be exposed to :

Height : Whether standing on the first floor of a building or the rooftop of a skyscraper, managing anxiety at your own pace is key to successfully addressing acrophobia. Heights can be progressively increased within the environments.

Walkway appearance : In building scenes, you can customize the walkway surface (glass, concrete, mesh), the railings, and the height of the walkway to suit your comfort level.

Speed : Environments involving driving scenarios allow you to adjust vehicle speed for exposure tailored to your pace.

Conversations : Thanks to artificial intelligence, you can interact with virtual characters in the environments, creating a deeper sense of immersion and participation during exposure sessions.

They testify to the effectiveness of C2Care !

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Paola R - User

My fear of the void causes me many worries. Amusement parks, hiking, tree climbing activities are not feasible for me. Virtual reality situations are great exercises for me and I get better as immersions thanks to the accompaniment of my psychologist.

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Jordan Fannis - Psychologist

I saw in the field what it brings to my patients, satisfaction, and then with a little bit of gamification, we enjoy going to work. It creates a kind of connection between my patients and me.

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Franck M - User

I was always afraid of the void, and as I grew up it got worse. Without VR, I would never have crossed the line. Today, after a few months of therapy, I am back. I can do lots of new things that I would never have dared to do!

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Madani - User

 I made progress very quickly with virtual reality. I was acrophobia. I got over my fear. Also thanks to the psychologist’s advice. I was able to climb the tree climbing, the big wheel, climb a ladder of 6 m easily, ride on the bridge of Millau at 109 km hour without fear.

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Dr Eric Malbos - Psychiatrist

In terms of effectiveness it is more effective than traditional CBT and can be done in the office or hospital. We also see, as studies like the one by García Palacios show, that there is a better motivation, patients are more motivated to do this therapy than traditional therapies.

Do you need further information or have any specific questions ?

He did it!

Paul B

Here is a picture of the Mazamet footbridge (140 m long and 70 m deep), one of the sites with plunging views where we went in May (the viewpoint of the cirque de Navacelle is not bad either, 300m of almost plunging space, the hamlet and the cars at the bottom are very small…). We can say that the treatment was effective because I wouldn’t have tried this type of exposure 6 months ago. The psychological warfare is not over, but the battles won bode well for a satisfactory outcome…
If I had a recommendation for future patients, regular daily exposure seems essential and 20-30 minutes is very bearable.

Often associated

Amaxophobia

Learn more

Anxiety

Learn more

Scientific Articles

Treatment of Specific Phobias in Adults

Treatment of Acrophobia with Virtual Reality

Virtual Reality Treatment vs. In Vivo Exposure: A Comparative Evaluation of Acrophobia

FAQ

Virtual reality (VR) is an innovative technology that enables patients to be exposed to immersive and controlled environments, facilitating the management of numerous psychological and psychiatric disorders. Its use in mental health offers several advantages:
  • Gradual and Controlled Exposure: VR allows patients to confront anxiety-inducing situations in a secure environment, gradually adjusting the intensity of stimuli to promote habituation and emotional regulation.
  • Realistic and Reproducible Environments: Unlike traditional techniques, VR provides immersive scenarios that can be consistently reproduced, ensuring a coherent and effective approach.
  • Increased Patient Engagement: The interactive and immersive nature of VR enhances treatment adherence and motivates patients to continue their therapy.
  • Personalized Treatment: Virtual environments can be adapted to meet the specific needs of each patient.
  • Versatile Applications: VR is used to treat anxiety disorders (phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorders), addictions, mood disorders, and even cognitive remediation.
The use of virtual reality in healthcare is not new! It has been studied and utilized for over 30 years in the medical and psychological fields. As early as the 1990s, researchers began exploring its potential for treating anxiety disorders, particularly phobias and post-traumatic stress disorder. Since then, numerous scientific studies have confirmed its effectiveness in addressing various psychiatric, neurological, and cognitive disorders.
Today, VR is widely integrated into therapeutic and medical practices, with clinically validated protocols. It is used in hospitals, clinics, and psychologists' offices worldwide to provide patients with innovative, effective, and safe treatments.
To use virtual reality, one must immerse themselves in a virtual environment. There are several ways to achieve this.
In the past, the CAVE system (Cave Automatic Virtual Environment), a 3D setup consisting of multiple screen walls, was the primary method used. This system allowed users to be fully immersed in the virtual world, with their movements detected in real-time. However, this technology was expensive and not widely accessible.
Since around 2016, with the introduction of virtual reality headsets like the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive, VR has become much more accessible. These headsets immerse users in virtual reality through an enclosed screen that projects digital images. The user's head movements are tracked, enabling them to look around and interact with the environment as they would in the real world.
Today, VR headsets are wireless and standalone, providing maximum comfort and ease of use without requiring external sensors or cables.
A virtual environment is an immersive digital simulation created through virtual reality. It allows users to navigate in a 3D space that accurately replicates everyday situations or specific contexts.
In mental health, these environments are designed to help individuals gradually face certain situations, manage their emotions, or enhance cognitive skills. By interacting with these virtual spaces, patients can engage in meaningful experiences tailored to their needs.
You need to equip yourself with a virtual reality headset. Our software is compatible with Meta Quest 2, 3, and 3S. 
You will then only need an internet connection. 
Numerous studies confirm that virtual reality is safe to use. However, some restrictions are in place to protect users from potential adverse effects.
For instance, individuals with epilepsy and pregnant women should avoid this type of therapy.
As with any immersive technology, prolonged use may cause visual fatigue or mild discomfort, particularly for those sensitive to motion sickness. Therefore, it is recommended to take regular breaks and adjust session durations according to individual needs.
Virtual environments are designed to be gradual and controlled, minimizing the risk of excessive anxiety. Most users quickly adapt to immersion and experience the benefits of this innovative approach from the first sessions.
Anxiety disorders and phobias can be effectively treated using virtual reality. Patients are gradually and progressively exposed to anxiety-inducing situations in various environments while remaining in a safe space. This process helps develop a sense of habituation, ultimately reducing or even eliminating anxiety over time.
Behavioral and substance addictions can also be addressed through virtual reality. By incorporating synthetic stimuli into the environments that trigger craving responses, patients struggling with addiction can work on their cravings to diminish the urge to consume.
Additionally, multiple environments—such as bars, casinos, and social settings—enable cognitive work on dysfunctional beliefs associated with specific temptation scenarios.
Regarding eating disorders, virtual reality software helps target key etiological factors, such as body dysmorphia, allocentric lock (a tendency to focus on others rather than oneself), and food cravings.
Currently, our TERV (Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy) solutions include multiple software programs designed to address critical psychiatric, psychological, and neuropsychological determinants such as relaxation, cognitive stimulation, behavioral activation, and social skills training.
Reminiscence therapy is also a major therapeutic tool in treating depression. By allowing patients to relive sensations linked to past pleasurable activities (such as sports, driving, or traveling), virtual reality stimulates hypoactive brain areas, enhancing therapeutic success. VR serves as an excellent mediator for reigniting engagement in enjoyable activities.
Moreover, cognitive stimulation for elderly individuals is another area where virtual reality proves beneficial. By leveraging technology to make stimulation activities more engaging and accessible, patients and nursing home residents can improve executive functions and memory through specially designed applications.
Today, virtual reality in mental health care is advancing rapidly. Researchers, clinicians, and developers continue to explore new therapeutic targets to offer innovative and effective treatment solutions in the near future.
VR can be used by all healthcare professionals assisting patients with anxiety, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorders, addictions, or other psychological challenges.
It is particularly beneficial for psychologists, psychiatrists, neuropsychologists, specialized nurses, as well as psychomotor therapists, physiotherapists, dietitians, sophrologists, and hypnotherapists. With a wide range of immersive environments, VR enhances therapeutic approaches and provides innovative tools to improve patient care.
Healthcare providers incorporating virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) expand their range of treatment options. VRET is a well-established therapeutic technique with scientific validation from cognitive-behavioral therapy research.
  • Professional Differentiation: Integrating VR into practice allows therapists to stand out from traditional treatment options.
  • Scientific Validation: VRET is backed by extensive research, reinforcing its credibility as an effective treatment method.
  • Improved Patient Engagement: The interactive nature of VR fosters greater patient involvement in therapy.
  • Time-Saving: VR provides direct access to various exposure environments without needing external logistics.

One of the considerable advantages of virtual reality is that it is effective on a wide spectrum of populations. Existing data from the literature on the subject shows us that it is entirely possible to expose a wide age group to virtual reality, with real therapeutic benefits.

The studies attest, in fact, to excellent feasibility and significant results; particularly in adults, in the treatment of anxiety disorders (including school phobia), autism, addictions, eating disorders, neuropsychological disorders, psychotic disorders and mood disorders.

The results are identical for adolescents with a significant added value concerning therapeutic engagement where virtual reality promotes adolescents' interest in their therapy.

Among elderly subjects, study results encourage the use of virtual reality with the aim of working on cognitive stimulation, on behavioral disorders but also on anxiety.

One of the major advantages of virtual reality is its effectiveness across a broad spectrum of the population. Existing literature on the subject shows that virtual reality can be used with individuals of various age groups, providing significant therapeutic benefits.
Studies confirm excellent feasibility and significant results, particularly among adults in the treatment of anxiety disorders (including school phobia), autism, addictions, eating disorders, neuropsychological disorders, psychotic disorders, and mood disorders.
The results are equally promising for adolescents, with a notable advantage in terms of therapeutic engagement, as virtual reality enhances their interest and participation in treatment.
For older adults, research supports the use of virtual reality to improve cognitive stimulation, behavioral disorders, and anxiety management.
However, people with epilepsy and pregnant individuals are not advised to undergo this type of therapy.
Yes, all our environments are grouped within a single application.
Our technical support team is available Monday to Friday, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM (Paris time), at technical@c2.care
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