Treating PTSD with Virtual Reality

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a mental illness that many people deal with on a daily basis.

For anyone who has experienced a traumatic or devastating event, such as a car accident or a tour abroad in war, they may feel symptoms of PTSD that are persistent and debilitating. These symptoms include nightmares that bring the person back to the traumatic situation, irritability, and frightening memories that they can’t escape. PTSD is very common in this country and it is estimated that more than 13 million people have PTSD at any given moment. [1]

While the conditions and symptoms may be so extreme for some people, there is treatment available that can help anyone overcome this mental health disease. Seeking help from a residential mental health program like the one provided by Banyan Mental Health is the best option for a successful outcome. We explain how incorporating virtual reality techniques into PTSD treatment can be very beneficial.

How Does VR Treatment Work?

Treating PTSD through different therapy methods is a great option for allowing the patient to overcome their struggles. What if the patient can enter a virtual world where they are forced to confront their emotions and fears? Through a VR headset, the patient is brought back to a similar situation from their traumatic event as a therapist walks them through their reactions and responses. Virtual Reality works hand in hand with exposure therapy, which is a behavioral technique that is proven to help PTSD patients. Exposure therapy allows patients to face their fears head-on by addressing the avoidance behaviors that are present.

Studies have found that after a few sessions of the virtual reality treatment, patients have significantly lowered their PTSD symptoms as they develop the tools needed to manage their anxiety. This treatment has been extremely successful for veterans as they are able to immerse themselves in a warzone that forces them to confront this feared situation that has caused so much pain in the past. Having a clinician walk you through your immediate responses will help you in real-life situations once treatment is completed.

If you are suffering from PTSD, there are numerous treatment methods that can help you break through the debilitating symptoms. Contact our residential mental health program at 888-280-4763 today to learn more about how we can help.

[1] Sidran Institute,  Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Fact Sheet