Online Archive of University of Virginia Scholarship
Overcoming Acrophobia ; Online Support Groups: A Valuable Supplement to Conventional MentalHealthcare600 views
Author
Campbell, Nick, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Virginia
Advisors
Heo, Seongkook, EN-Comp Science Dept, University of Virginia
Bloomfield, Aaron, University of Virginia
Norton, Peter, EN-Engineering and Society, University of Virginia
Behl, Madhur, EN-Comp Science Dept, University of Virginia
Abstract
Research has found that about five percent of individuals are acrophobic. With such a large population suffering, how can this phobia best be alleviated? Prior research suggests that exposure therapy is effective in helping those with acrophobia. A variety of sources contribute to the phobia, such as a traumatic experience, witnessing parental figures express fear towards heights, or natural conditioning to fear falling. Regardless, a VR experience that exposes acrophobes to virtual heights in a safe environment may help those suffering from the phobia. By creating a virtual environment where individuals can face their fears safely without consequence, users can gain control over their fears. This project was developed in Unity and C#. My faculty technical advisors are Madhur Behl, Aaron Bloomfield, and Seongkook Heo.
Since 2000, how has online mental-illness support supplemented or displaced in-person care? While licensed mental healthcare professionals have cautioned that online mental healthcare is no substitute for professional care, many depressed persons report that they find it indispensable as a supplement to professional care; to some depressed persons, it is an effective alternative to care they cannot afford or otherwise access.
Degree
BS (Bachelor of Science)
Keywords
VR; Depression; Exposure Therapy; Acrophobia; Online Support Communities
Notes
School of Engineering and Applied Science
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Technical Advisor: Seongkook Heo, Madhur Behl
STS Advisor: Peter Norton
Technical Team Members: Nicholas Campbell, Jack Vance
Campbell, Nick. Overcoming Acrophobia ; Online Support Groups: A Valuable Supplement to Conventional MentalHealthcare. University of Virginia, School of Engineering and Applied Science, BS (Bachelor of Science), 2021-05-13, https://doi.org/10.18130/5ta9-0f55.
