Virtual Reality (VR) to help treat mental illness
and to improve life
Advancements in virtual
reality technology have not only led to improved experiences for people who
enjoy video games but they are also treating very serious psychological and
physical disabilities. Virtual reality versions of exposure therapy in increasingly being
used as an approach in treating anxiety disorders such as phobias and post
traumatic stress disorder. The idea is to gradually expose someone to the
source of their anxiety—flying, for example—in a safe setting in a way that
enables them to face that fear in the real world later. The simulations aren’t
perfectly immersive—it’s obvious you’re in a computer-generated world when
wearing a headset—but numerous studies have found virtual reality to be more
effective at treating some phobias than traditional exposure methods like mental
visualization or photographs.
I have found one company in particular, to be very
effective and comprehensive in their offerings:
VBI
Christine,
ReplyDeleteThis site looks great! I have heard some interesting things about this kind of therapy and I think it is a very creative way to help people through their disorders. I especially like that they have a particular part for children. Giving them coping mechanisms or even helping them to get past their anxieties or fears will help them a lot.
Breanne,
DeleteVirtual Reality therapy can be very effective, as a part of a treatment plan, for people that are experiencing such anxiety, that they cannot "face/work through" their fears. It provides a safe way to be exposed to the very things causing the anxiety.
Hello Christine:
ReplyDeleteThis is a very interesting approach to therapy. You would think in one sense, "How could this work?" because your often dealing with a person that is struggling with a phobia or anxiety that is "Not realistic" and immersing them into a "Non-real" environment expecting them to then adjust their behavior in the actual "Real environment" that gives them anxiety?
However, I guess as far as the brain is concerned experience is experience and if a person can expose themselves to a fear within a virtual reality with less trepidation than exposure in real life it seems to give the brain a greater opportunity to create new pathways that inevitably change the behavior.
I'm all for bridging virtual experience to real life. It's seems to be a great training ground.
Hi Joseph,
DeleteFor the individual with anxiety, or more specifically, a phobic disorder, the fear is real, yet irrational. Virtual Reality therapy is a type of exposure therapy that simulates the fear-evoking situation, or stimulus, so that the individual can face it, and while using breathing and relaxation techniques, learn to calm the physiological reaction that is elicited by anxiety.