An excessive fear of stairs, of falling down or climbing stairs, being hurt in a fall, or having anxiety about loftiness or high points: Those who suffer from climacophobia regarding heights emphasize that their visual space is important and they will not be able to go down a flight of steps if they can see an open stairwell, and they are even terrified of looking through a long window which stretches from the floor to the ceiling, but not if the window's bottom is at or above the waist level.

A person affected by climacophobia may also be afflicted with other related phobias, such as bicycles, skiing, certain amusement rides, tall buildings, and bridges.