FULL STORY

Extra
Rx for phobias: Video games
advertisement


A new study suggests plain old video games are just as effective as elaborate virtual reality machines in helping phobics conquer their fears.

By Reuters

Scared silly of spiders? Horrified by heights? Terrorized by tight spaces? Play a video game -- doctor's orders.

Regular, off-the-shelf computer video games are an effective method of treating people's fears, using a style of therapy that exposes people to what scares them in a controlled setting, according to a new study released today.

The researchers found that PC games that allow users to construct and change game environments, used with a headset that lets wearers simulate virtual reality, were just as effective at stimulating phobic responses as dedicated simulation machines that can cost four times as much.

Ah, that is very intresting!

Oh I play tonnes of video games........still,......I'm afraid of heights

I used to play alot, I don't know.

I am afraid of heights too a degree. If I am in a large building with glass windows all around and I can see down I will feel faint.

If I am in a plane I can't really see much so I am fine.