University of Central Florida researchers try smells

The researchers have part of this right. Smells do play a big role in flashbacks. For Vietnam veterans, even diesel fuel can still be a reminder of war just as the sound of a helicopter can trigger memories.

Humans learn from events in their lives. This article mentions fear of dogs. If someone is attacked or threatened by a dog, they learn from this experience, become afraid the next time and they do have to come into contact with other dogs overcoming their fear as long as it has a different outcome.

For me, my fear was of heights. I was not even 5 when I was pushed off a slide at a drive-in movie playground. My scull was cracked all the way around and I had a concussion. While most kids were daredevils, unafraid to climb trees, I was terrified. I would go with my friends into the woods, climb the rocks to get a view of the city but as they were enjoying it, I was feeling my heart pounding, taking deep breaths to avoid passing out. Amusement parks were even harder when I tried to explain that roller coaster rides were a no go for me. They called me "chicken" but I told them I was only thinking of them and the fact they would end up paying for making me go on when I tossed my "cookies" in their hair. Once they were given the choice of going on without me or having me sit behind them, they decided to let me sit out the ride in peace. That fear stayed with me for many years so I avoided a lot of places that would expose me to the memories of that night when by all accounts, I should not have survived. Time made it a bit easier but I still avoid roller coaster rides.

Dogs come with a "smell" but the scent of a dog is usually not reported to be the cause of a flashback. The sound of a bark or growl can cause nerves to jump. Not all life threatening events come with scents that remind the survivor of it. For me, with drive-in movies, there was the smell of popcorn, hotdogs, burgers and fries but these scents do not remind me of anything other than the fact I usually end up with a craving for them as soon as someone mentions the words. For combat veterans, there are too many reminders of war. While scent therapy wouldn't do much good for someone like me, it can help make a world of difference for combat veterans in helping them heal. It can get them past the "smell" trigger so that other triggers can be addressed like anniversary dates.

Researchers combine smells, combat scenes to treat veterans' stress disorder
By Linda Shrieves The Orlando Sentinel

ORLANDO, Fla. — It's not quite smell-o-vision, but University of Central Florida researchers are kicking off a study that will combine a virtual reality simulation of wartime scenes along with the "smells" of Middle East combat zones to help veterans overcome post-traumatic stress disorder.

Because smells are so acutely tied to memories, researchers hope that the combination of reliving painful experiences — along with the smells of war — will help Iraq and Afghanistan veterans overcome their anxieties.

Known as exposure therapy, the technique teaches people to face their fears by confronting them gradually.

"If you're afraid of a dog, how do you get over it? By being around a dog," said Dr. Deborah Beidel, a University of Central Florida psychology professor who is leading the study.

In the program, Beidel and a team of therapists will use software programs known as Virtual Iraq and Virtual Afghanistan — which look like a video game but simulate the experience of being in those countries — to duplicate the traumatic experiences the soldier witnessed.

Gradually, the teams will take the soldier back through the experience, talking about it and reliving it until he or she overcomes the fear.
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http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/SCI-PTSD_4823222/SCI-PTSD_4823222/