Imagine walking into a world in which your fears could be confronted safely and your anxiety controlled within an environment that’s in your control. Does it sound a little like science fiction? Not anymore. Virtual Reality therapy is an emerging breakthrough technology in treating mental health by placing people in highly realistic experiences designed to help them overcome different problems and generally enhance their well-being. Let us discuss how this revolutionary technology can change mental healthcare.
Understanding Virtual Reality Therapy
Virtual reality therapy refers to the application of VR technology in the creation of simulated environments for treating different mental health disorders. Immersion into the virtual scenarios will let therapists help people develop mechanisms to cope, decrease levels of anxiety, and overcome phobias in a safe and controlled environment.
This article is based on a scientific paper by Freeman, et.al. from Cambridge. The researchers recognize, assess, and use VR technology for therapy. This article on VR therapy is a continuation of our previous article on The Impact of AI in Daily Life.
VR Therapy for Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders afflict millions of people across the globe, and sometimes the effectiveness of the traditional methods of therapy is limited. VR therapy opens wide avenues of opportunity for exposing people to situations that evoke anxiety within a virtual environment. Gradual exposure and cognitive behavioral techniques can help people learn how to manage anxiety responses and lower the impact that symptoms have on daily life.
For example, in a study reported by the Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, virtual reality exposure therapy appeared to reduce anxiety symptoms in patients with social anxiety disorder. Here, participants were exposed to simulated social situations like public speaking and parties, in which they could try out coping strategies in a safe, controlled environment.
VR Helps Conquer Phobias
Specific phobias, such as fear of heights, spiders, or public speaking, really lower the quality of life. In Virtual Reality therapy, patients are allowed to approach their fears in a virtual environment, gradually making them desensitized to phobias. One can actually learn how to master anxiety by repeated exposure to the feared stimulus in an environment controlled.
For instance, the Journal of Anxiety Disorders published a study demonstrating the effectiveness of VR exposure treatment for the treatment of acrophobia (fear of heights). The participants experienced gradual exposure to virtual heights, like being on a high platform or walking on a narrow bridge, allowing them to gradually overcome their fears and, hence, improve functioning in real life.
Virtual Reality Therapy for PTSD
Trauma can cause the most fundamental crises in any given human psyche and further manifest into some really devastating mental conditions; post-traumatic stress disorder is one such condition. In essence, VR treatment for PTSD recreates the traumatic experience within a safe and controlled virtual environment. A person can, therefore, process traumatic memories and develop coping strategies to accordingly reduce symptoms and promote improved well-being.
For instance, a report in the Journal of Psychiatric Research tested the application of VR exposure therapy in veterans with PTSD. Virtual reality simulations of scenarios related to combat exposed participants to their traumatic memories and helped them learn to cope with them. Results showed that there were huge decreases in PTSD symptoms after the Virtual Reality therapy intervention.
Social Anxiety and VR
Social anxiety disorder can be very incapacitating since it can prevent a person from fully engaging in social activities. Virtual Reality therapy has the advantage of providing training in social skills in the virtual environment and giving self-confidence to reduce anxiety. Individuals are able to practice different social scenarios and get suggestions from therapists, thus helping them acquire the necessary skills to handle social situations in real life.
For instance, one study in Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking tested the efficiency of VR therapy against social anxiety disorder. In the research, participants were exposed to a number of virtual social situations—such as attending parties and giving presentations—for them to practice their social skills and decrease anxiety symptoms. The results provided supporting evidence that VR therapy could be an important addition to other methods of treatment for social anxiety.
Future of Virtual Reality Therapy
This may be a new field for Virtual Reality therapy, but its potential is huge. The more technological development furthers, the more sophisticated and effective applications of VR in mental health treatment will be created. The possibilities are endless in this respect, from the treatment of depression and addiction to improving cognitive functions.
Are you interested in writing a guest post about VR or technology in general for us? Join our “Write For Us Technology” campaign by writing guest posts about technology.
Conclusion
Virtual Reality therapy is revolutionizing the whole concept of treating mental health. By rendering relatively quite immersive and engaging experiences, VR is helping people to transcend their challenges, build resilience, and improve their general well-being. While traditional therapy forms an integral part of mental healthcare, VR therapy is offering an invaluable complementary approach that could conceivably result in huge improvements in outcomes. We see VR therapy becoming an increasingly integral part of mental healthcare services in the not-so-distant future.
