Acrophobia is an intense fear of heights, especially when one is not particularly high up. It is a type of specific phobia, categorized under space and motion discomfort, which shares similar causes and options for treatment. People with acrophobia can experience panic attacks in high places and become too agitated to get themselves down safely. The term 'acrophobia' is derived from the Greek words 'ákrοn' (meaning 'peak' or 'summit') and 'phóbos' (meaning 'fear').