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stevevr
New Participant
July 28, 2015
Question

Virtual reality can cure phobias (allegedly)

An Aussie professor claims VR can cure phobias and I'm curious as to what phobia you're hoping it will help you overcome - if her allegation is actually true.

Mine is fear of heights.

    8 replies

    VizionVR
    Up and Coming
    July 28, 2015
    Facing your fear can gradually help you cope with it. So yes, I can see VR as a safe, transitional step toward conquering a real life fear.

    I have an aversion to bugs and spiders and have felt creeped out by spiders in VR. I wouldn't say I'm afraid of them though. :)
    Not a Rift fanboi. Not a Vive fanboi. I'm a VR fanboi. Get it straight.
    stevevrAuthor
    New Participant
    July 29, 2015
    "vizionvr" wrote:
    ............
    I have an aversion to bugs and spiders and have felt creeped out by spiders in VR. I wouldn't say I'm afraid of them though. :)


    what VR game did you play that has spiders?
    VizionVR
    Up and Coming
    July 29, 2015
    "stevevr" wrote:
    what VR game did you play that has spiders?


    Don't Let Go.
    Spiders crawl up your arms and sit on the back of your neck making skritching noises.
    Not a Rift fanboi. Not a Vive fanboi. I'm a VR fanboi. Get it straight.
    CptAhnungslos
    Participant
    August 25, 2015
    "vizionvr" wrote:
    "stevevr" wrote:
    what VR game did you play that has spiders?


    Don't Let Go.
    Spiders crawl up your arms and sit on the back of your neck making skritching noises.



    Oh boy, I hope "Don´t Let Go" will be ported to newer SDK´s , get´s polished and/or extended.
    This is one hell of an experience! :!:
    Windows10 64bit, Asus Sabertooth Z77, Bequiet Dark Power Pro10 850W, i7 3770k (4,5@1,35V), Noctua NH-D15, Zotac GTX 980ti AMP Extreme Patriot Viper 2x8GB, 2TB HDD, 240GB SSD Asus ROG Swift PG278Q, OVR DK2 Fanatec Elite Pedals, CSW V2 Formula
    g4c
    Up and Coming
    August 28, 2015
    Yeah any phobia can be cured using desensitization methods.

    I don't see why 90% of the path couldn't use VR if it's convincing.

    The final 10% you'd need the real thing though, if only to verify desensitization had occurred.

    These spiders are lovely:




    An app designed to desensitize should slowly ramp up exposure within comfortable settings, jump scares and spooky music shouldn't really be included.
    Android VR Developer. https://twitter.com/SiliconDroid
    peasandwell
    New Participant
    September 11, 2015
    I read about something similar, although it's more Augmented Reality, to cure the fear of spiders.

    It works by projecting a cartoon spider onto the user's desk, and then it gets more realistic as the user progresses through their fear. Quite an interesting concept although I have no idea it if works. There's a link to it here - http://virtually-free.com/phobia-free/
    MrsVR
    Up and Coming
    September 17, 2015
    VR exposure therapy is pretty well documented. Here are some swedes who are currently researching it, focusing on arachnophobia atm.
    Rendering/Game engineer
    kratzkatz
    New Participant
    January 9, 2016
    I could imagine Rifts being used to face people with their fears. especially with the fear of height. But I doubt it to be helpful with social phobias :(
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