Panic Attacks: Virtual Reality Therapy, Part II

SAN DIEGO -- People with panic disorder can face their fears head-on at the Virtual Reality Medical Center in Sorrento Valley, 10News reported.

"In virtual reality, we can put them in near real-world situations and have them experience the fear, teach them coping mechanisms and teach them those feelings aren't dangerous," Dr. Brenda Wiederhold. said.

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She said that the 3-D world work's wonders for people with panic attacks.

"In the virtual reality world, patients have control, know they have the control. We can slowly and systematically desensitize them of those frightening feelings," Wiederhold said.

During a virtual reality therapy session, Wiederhold monitors a patient's heart rate and other bodily indicators that point to an impending panic attack.

Wiederhold said that there are all sorts of situations that cause panic.

10News anchor Carol LeBeau entered the virtual world and put her anxiety to a test.

"For me, just the anticipation of making a speech before a live audience makes me anxious," LeBeau said.

LeBeau starts to read the news on a radio station to her virtual audience. No one responds, they are bored, rude and not listening.

"There's a little bit of increase in the sweat gland activity," Wiederhold said while monitoring LeBeau.

"I'm trying to find the friendly faces in the audience and trying to ignore the ones that look bored," LeBeau said.

In time, LeBeau's anxiety eases. "She's actually learning to gain control now," Wiederhold said.

"It was only a virtual audience, but after a few minutes it became real to me," LeBeau said.

"It becomes very real to some people and the more they are in it, it becomes even more real," Wiederhold said.

She also said most panic-attack patients see a significant improvement after five virtual sessions, according to 10News.