Fear of Bridges
It
used to be that the fear of bridges required the therapist and the patient
to travel to the bridge, spend time near the
bridge and eventually travel over the bridge or bridges together. With
therapy using Virtual Reality Exposure help is found in the therapist's
office, eliminating the need for travel to find a bridge.
Wearing
a headset, you are allowed to enter a computer generated virtual bridge.
The feel and sounds of the bridge and surroundings produce the feeling
associated with bridges without ever leaving the office. There are several
bridges of various heights. Taking plenty of time and practicing techniques
you have learned for anxiety management, you are led slowly for a small,
low bridge to a high bridge spanning across a canyon. By approaching these
bridges in a slow and controlled manner, you master your feelings of fear
as you develop confidence in your own abilities.
At
every step of the virtual bridge crossings, the therapist can see and hear
what you are experiencing. The therapist has control over the exposure, the
virtual bridge and the length of the therapy session.
