Virtual Reality for Combat Vets….

One of the promising technologies for PTSD and many types of phobia is virtual reality. In order to participate, you get to wear the fancy headgear modeled below, which provides a very realistic auditory and visual display. In addition, therapists can apply other stimuli, such as the sound of gunpowder. Coupled with relaxation, this type of desensitization can be very effective.

The US Army is exploring the possibility of using VR technology to assist returning vets with PTSD. A very realistic recreation of an Iraqi convoy experience or a patrol through a village can be presented. Why would anyone want to do this? Although not a fun use of videogame technology, this would help people overcome many of the classically conditioned responses to trauma.

VR adds a new dimension to the technique of systematic desentization, based on Pavlov’s classical conditioning studies and the work of South African psychologist Joseph Wolpe [1]. In the traditional method, one imagines the fear stimulus (that would be heights, for me) while engaging in progressive relaxation. VR takes the place of imagination. From my view, the challenge would be to provide the client with variations in how scary the stimulus presented is. You are supposed to “back up” a step if you lose your state of relaxation. I’m not sure if the Army procedure allows you to do that. It sounds to me that their technique is closer to flooding (the expose yourself to your fear stimulus until you stop screaming approach–effective, but very scary).

Systematic desensitization therapy is available from many therapists, but you can try it out on your own, too. I’ve worked on my height phobia over the years, somewhat successfully, but I’d love to try the VR version. I have to say that all the falling/jumping my poor Link has done over the years hasn’t helped much…..

1. Wolpe, J. (1958). Psychotherapy by reciprocal inhibition. Stanford: Stanford University Press