PREVI - psychology and virtual reality

What are Phobias?

A person suffering from a phobia experiences intense and excessive fear in the presence of certain objects or situations, such as particular animals (rats, dogs, spiders, cockroaches, snakes, etc.), enclosed spaces (elevators, the subway, ACT, etc.), heights, the vision of blood, injections, darkness, storms, driving, etc. The fear can be also experienced when the person simply thinks that the feared object may be present or the feared situation may occur. Fear can lead the person to avoid the feared situations, and when avoidance is not possible, he/she will endure them experiencing great distress and anxiety. These fears become a psychological problem when they interfere in the person's daily routine. That is, when they affect the person's academic, work, or social life.

It might be that while reading this site you identify yourself with the descriptions of the problem provided above. The Test questions inquire about the presence of some of its features. Although they do not substitute the assessment process necessary to establish a clinical diagnosis, they might be considered as a first approach and a preliminary screening of the problem.

If you also experience a significant distress, or any area of your daily life (leisure, work, school, family, etc.) has been affected by this problem, you might be suffering from public speaking phobia. However, remember: this is just a first approach to the assessment process needed before starting any treatment. If you think you might have this problem, seek professional advice so you can decide whether you want or not to receive treatment

From the following scale choose the number that best indicates to what degree you AVOID some of the objects or situations that you will find following, due to the fear or to other unpleasant sensations.

1. Animals, as for example: snakes, spiders, dogs, bees, insects, cats, mousses, birds...

Never		Rarely		Sometimes			Quite a lot		Always
0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10

2. Heights, open spaces, storms, wind, water, darkness, noises, fire works...

Never		Rarely		Sometimes			Quite a lot		Always
0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10

3. To see blood, get a shot, to go to the dentist to the doctor or to hospitals, undergo surgical operations or to think about getting hurt...

Never		Rarely		Sometimes			Quite a lot		Always
0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10

4. Close spaces, such as for example: elevators, tunnels, public transportation, bridges, fear of driving, to have a CT scan done

Never		Rarely		Sometimes			Quite a lot		Always
0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10

5. Death, cemeteries, coffins, spirits...

Never		Rarely		Sometimes			Quite a lot		Always
0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10

6. Fear of choking, fear of contracting an illness...

Never		Rarely		Sometimes			Quite a lot		Always
0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10

PREVI applies the treatment that has proved to be the most effective to treat specific phobias: exposure therapy. Applying this technique, the person confronts the feared stimulus step-by-step, and counting on the guidance and assistance of the therapist. The exposure is carried out in a systematic, structured, and progressive way, so that the person confronts each one of their feared situations at his/her own pace. Progression to the next situation is not made until the person feels confident and fearless in the previous one.

Furthermore, PREVI's clinical and technological teams have designed a Virtual Reality treatment program that allows for the "virtual exposure" to several phobic stimuli and situations. These are computer-simulated environments the person can navigate confronting his/her fears more confidently, without leaving the therapist office, which ensures safety, control, and confidentiality.