Agoraphobia or fear of public places and open spaces

Agoraphobia, or the fear of being unable to leave or escape a situation, is often described as "the fear of fear." This phobia can lead to significant limitations in daily life, both socially and professionally. Individuals tend to develop numerous avoidance behaviors, focusing mainly on public places, enclosed spaces, or open areas, due to the fear of panicking or losing control. By recreating scenes with moving crowds, open spaces, and enclosed environments, virtual reality enables individuals to address the emotions experienced in these situations, thereby reducing the associated anxiety.

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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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Efficacy

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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 situations that can trigger agoraphobia.

2. Cognitive restructuring

The user will unlearn negative reactions, such as catastrophic thoughts (“I’m trapped”), 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 of agoraphobia !

Open spaces

Open spaces

Agoraphobic individuals often experience intense anxiety in open spaces such as parks, public squares, or areas near bodies of water. These locations are perceived as less secure and harder to control, heightening feelings of vulnerability. Additionally, open spaces may involve more social interactions, leading to significant anxiety.

Through controlled exposure, users can gradually confront situations they previously avoided, helping them prepare to overcome these challenges in real-life conditions.

Enclosed spaces

Buildings can be anxiety-inducing for agoraphobic individuals due to a variety of triggers: walkways, stairs, heights, or elevators. These scenarios often provoke panic attacks as individuals fear feeling trapped or unable to escape.

With virtual reality, users can progressively expose themselves to these environments, avoiding the risk of triggering a panic attack while working through the anxiety they evoke.

Enclosed spaces

Public transportation

Public transportation

Public transportation, commonplace for many, can be highly anxiety-inducing for individuals with agoraphobia. Modes of transport such as subways, trains, buses, and airplanes are among the most stressful. Unexpected events, such as delays or the behavior of fellow passengers, can exacerbate this anxiety and lead to avoidance behaviors.

By engaging in repeated exposure within safe environments, users can gradually overcome their fears and regain the confidence to travel again.

Crowds and public spaces

Agoraphobic individuals may experience heightened anxiety in crowded places (e.g., moving crowds) or situations requiring interaction with numerous people. Everyday public spaces such as supermarkets, queues, cinemas, hospitals, or airports can also provoke significant distress.

With the help of virtual reality, users can rebuild their confidence and their ability to overcome obstacles related to their phobia.

Crowds and public spaces

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 :

Crowd density in public spaces : Whether in public transport (subway, airplane, bus) or a supermarket, you can adjust the crowd density and the behavior of individuals in the environment to provide gradual exposure.

Simulated transport breakdowns : In transportation scenarios, you can program the occurrence of a breakdown to intensify the feeling of being unable to escape, enabling deep work on agoraphobia.

Elevator wall transparency : Being able to see the outside from within an elevator can be reassuring. Users can gradually adjust the opacity of the elevator walls to build comfort and confidence.

They testify to the effectiveness of C2Care !

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Clara - User

My agoraphobia was controlling my life, but thanks to the C2Care virtual reality method I was able to face my fears gradually. In six months, I was able to get out without oppressive anxiety and I regained confidence.
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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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Sophie - User

My agoraphobia prevented me from living normally, getting out of my house had become impossible. Thanks to the C2Care virtual reality method, I was able to work on my fears step by step, safely. Today, I am gradually returning to a normal life and true freedom.

maatoug-redwan

Dr Redwan - Psychiatrist

The advantage is that you can precisely control the virtual environment, adjust the stimuli, adapt to the needs of the patient. There is the notion of safety that is very important, which can help them to take a step forward because they feel safer to face their fears.

Do you need further information or have any specific questions ?

Our environments in image

Often associated

Claustrophobia

Learn more

Social phobias

Learn more

Scientific Articles

Virtual Reality Exposure in the Treatment of Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia

Consequences of Virtual Reality on Health and Safety

Virtual Reality in the Assessment, Understanding, and Treatment of Mental Disorders

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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