Targeting Reconsolidation to Prevent Return of Fear

Prior to each VRE session, the investigators will test a brief, easy-to-implement manipulation that triggers the fear memory and presumably allows it to be changed in a way that prevents the fear from returning later (i.e., prevents relapse). The investigators propose to randomly assign eligible participants to 1 of 2 conditions: 1) VRE therapy preceded by a reminder of the feared stimulus (a VR clip of a virtual airplane taxiing and taking off) presented 10 minutes prior to all VRE therapy sessions, or 2) VRE therapy preceded by a neutral cue (a VR clip of a virtual living room) presented 10 minutes prior to all VRE therapy sessions. Participants will be evaluated pre- and post-treatment and at a 3 month and 6 month follow-up visit to assess long-term effects.

Inclusion criteria

• Adult participants, male and female, ages 18-70;
• Participants must meet Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition (DSM-IV) criteria for specific phobia, situational type or panic disorder with agoraphobia, in which flying is the primary feared stimulus, or agoraphobia without a history of panic disorder, in which flying is a feared stimulus; Participants may have comorbid depression or anxiety disorders to increase generalizability of sample, but fear of flying must be the primary complaint;
• Participants must have flown at least once before;
• Participants on psychoactive medications must be stabilized on that dose and medication for at least three months, and must agree to remain on that dose throughout the project. All assessments will include a form inquiring about any medication changes, and participants on medications will be monitored by their prescribing physician; and
• Participants must be literate in English.

Exclusion criteria

• Patients with current or history of mania, schizophrenia, or other psychoses;
• Patients with current (past 3 months) prominent suicidal ideation;
• Patients with current alcohol or drug abuse/dependence; and
• Patients unable to wear the virtual reality head mounted display for any reason (i.e. due to panic disorder, head discomfort, etc.)