Skip to content

The Middle Eastern Restaurant — Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE)

In this video, part 4 of 5, Veteran Frederick Gantt shares a snapshot of his experience with Prolonged Exposure therapy (PE), a type of PTSD treatment.

Transcript

- [Voiceover] The in vivo process is actually puttin'

yourself in an experience that you know is uncomfortable

and stayin' in it to the point of feelin' uncomfortable

without bailing out, so that you can be

less and less uncomfortable as you expose yourself

to that environment or that experience.

(tense music)

My in vivos I chose was goin' into a part of town

where I knew a substantial amount

of Middle Eastern people lived

and going into a restaurant,

at first just sitting there.

And I'd bring my own water

and my own drink or whatever, and I'd sit there.

And

I vowed from within myself, I'm gonna stay there

at least 45 minutes.

I'm not gonna leave.

(anxious music)

Within 15 minutes, (laughs)

my anxiety was high.

(fan whirs)

(portentous music)

I brought a hand towel with me, so that I can wipe my face.

I didn't wanna show everyone else that I was feelin' this.

I held my hands tight under the table,

so that

the fidgeting wouldn't be apparent.

This scar on my hand here

was from all of the anxiety I felt

'cause I would constantly rub it.

(clock ticks)

I got to 30 minutes, started slightly easin' up.

The first time, honestly, at 45 minutes, I got up and left.

(clock ticks)

It worked.

It did.

In vivo process worked for me.

It helped me rearrange my thought process

that got jumbled up.

My whole pattern in my life was messed up.

I had to put those boxes back

the way they were supposed to be.

For me to go in a Middle Eastern restaurant today,

I actually welcome it.

My core has been reestablished, I could say that.

My core was reestablished to where I was before

that I don't have any hatred in my heart.

I don't have any reason to hate.

It was very helpful.

Published At