Virtual reality can help people conquer their phobias
Virtual Reality Exposure therapy is another way of improving the situation of anyone suffering from panic and anxiety disorders. Through a combination of 3-dimensional computer simulation (Virtual Reality), combined with physiological monitoring and personal feedback, we can work on specific phobias such as
- fear of driving virtual reality treatment, vr phobia, vrphobia, fear of driving, fear of flying, fear of public speaking,
- fear of flying virtual reality treatment, vr phobia, vrphobia, claustrophobia, arachnophobia, social phobia, panic
- fear of public speaking virtual reality treatment, vr phobia, vrphobia, fear of driving, fear of flying, fear of public
- agoraphobia virtual reality treatment, vr phobia, vrphobia, arachnophobia, social phobia, panic disorder,
- claustrophobia virtual reality treatment, vr phobia, vrphobia, fear of driving, fear of flying, fear of public speaking
- arachnophobia virtual reality treatment, vr phobia, vrphobia, arachnophobia, social phobia, panic disorder,
- social phobia virtual reality treatment, vr phobia, vrphobia, fear of driving, fear of flying, fear of public speaking
- panic disorder
- posttraumatic stress disorder
Virtual Reality therapy?
Therapy through Virtual Reality places the patient in a computer-generated world. In this realistic, but safe environment the patient can ‘experience’ the aspects that stimulate their phobia. Via a head-mounted display (the well-known ‘VR Glasses’) that contains small TV screens and earphones both visual and auditory impulses are given.
Each VR Exposure treatment starts with a short intake session, and an explication in which the patient learns how to be in control of automatic responses of situations that provoke the feelings of anxiety. The therapist and client work together to create a hierarchy of anxiety-inducing situations. In careful, controlled stages the patient is then exposed to these virtual and safe experiences, thus creating higher levels of anxiety.
Each stage can be repeated until the client is comfortable with the experience and satisfied with their response. At every step the therapist can see and hear what the patient is experiencing in the virtual world.
If the level of anxiety becomes overwhelming, the patient can return to a less stressful level of treatment, or simply remove the display and leave the virtual world. agoraphobia, claustrophobia, arachnophobia
