The current world has become progressive. Now, the reality can be whatever we want. Not so long ago, we used to anticipate when the world would be where we could see things in our 3-dimensional world. Forwarding the quick transition, here we are reading about the launch of a new AI model. Among such significant advancements is the evolution of virtual reality. Yeah, some Tony Stark stuff.
Virtual reality has rapidly evolved and is prominent in the entertainment and gaming industries, beyond this. It has shown some promising applications in various other sectors, including healthcare. Wait, have you ever heard of virtual reality therapy?
For decades, we have turned to books, conversations, and traditional techniques to cope with our issues or even to understand the mind. A healthy mental headspace is what we crave these days. We may face internal conflicts stemming from the scenarios we have encountered and find them affecting our interpersonal relationships. How do we tackle these conflicts? We usually turn towards the old-school way, therapies. Psychotherapists have recently integrated modern technology into traditional ways and seen impressive progress.
Read on to find out more about virtual reality therapy.
What Is Virtual Reality Therapy?
Virtual reality is a computer-generated 3-dimensional(3D) simulation of real-life visuals and sounds. It allows users to interact with specialized electronic gear, often VR headsets. Psychologists have been using VR software and gear to assess and treat patients.
VR therapy is a therapeutic approach that uses technology to address various mental health conditions, such as phobias, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD), depression, and many more. Therapists create immersive scenarios(revisiting the past) for patients through VR that address specific conditions, like phobias and anxiety, and help them overcome their underlying conflicts stemming from them. Using stimulation for or presenting them in controlled settings, individuals can face their fears and worries in a safe, supervised environment. This helps the therapists to closely observe and understand their patients, offering a personalized approach to treatment.
➤ Potential Applications of Virtual Reality Therapy
Applications of VR in psychotherapeutics have stretched impressively. Previously, therapists used to address issues related to phobias, but over time, have been using it to treat various mental health conditions.
1. Phobias
Phobias are a common yet fearsome condition that people face. Virtual reality therapy has been used to treat phobias at the earliest stages. It involves slowly introducing a person to their fears in small, manageable steps with their consent and in a comfortable environment. People with intense fears, like heights(vertigo), flying, water, or crowded places, can face their triggers in a safe, virtual environment.
For instance, there is a person who’s afraid of flying. A therapist uses the VR to create a simulated airport. Now the person is actively involved with the environment and is made to sit in a virtual plane, and eventually experience a realistic takeoff. This can be achieved in a confined physical environment(therapist’s office).
Because the experience is so immersive, it allows the brain to react as though the situation is real. The positive aspect is that the therapist is present to guide the session, the person remains in control, and the therapist helps the person manage their response to fear. Gradually, it helps reduce anxiety and retrain the brain to respond more calmly.
2. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Virtual reality therapy is a promising technique to help those who have PTSD, especially among military veterans and survivors of traumatic encounters. Traumatic events leave a prominent impact and can be daunting for a person to live with. People go for therapies, but sometimes it is overwhelming to talk about their traumas. Through VR therapy, therapists can recreate a specific time frame of the traumatic memory that can be dealt with in a controlled setting. This helps the person to understand and heal from specific traumatic scenarios.
Similarly, war veterans find it challenging to be in reality after military combat. The visuals of destruction haunt them and are challenging to cope with. With the help of VR, they can interact with more nature-themed settings to find solace and re-live the beauty of this world to break free from the haunting flashbacks and anxiety.
Although it will be performed under a guided environment, controlled exposure to traumatic scenarios may not be safe.
3. Chronic Pain and Stress
Chronic pain is considered a physical issue; it deliberately affects the mental and emotional state of a person. Virtual reality therapy has proven to be an effective method to help people cope through mental distraction. It doesn’t intend to excite a person but to calm them. The virtual settings are often peaceful natural scenes, like open grassy fields under a bright blue sky, with the gentle sound of a nearby stream and birds singing. Immersing in such a peaceful environment can shift their focus away from pain and toward something positive.
Some VR sessions even use biofeedback, where the system responds to the user’s heartbeat or breathing. As a person calms down, the virtual world may become more vivid, reinforcing relaxation. This can effectively reduce the pain and anxiety associated with it.
4. Social Anxiety
Social anxiety is a common type of anxiety disorder. A person with social anxiety disorder experiences fear or anxiety in situations where they might be watched, judged, or evaluated by others. This can include public speaking, meeting new people, going on a date, attending a job interview, answering questions in class, or even making small talk with a cashier.
Virtual reality therapy has become an effective method for people suffering from social anxiety. It creates a stimulated version of the real world to help people build their skills. For instance, a therapist will create a digital version of a coffee shop or even a conference room to help a person rehearse conversations or gain the confidence of being in a crowd.
These scenarios are created based on the comfort levels of an individual in a controlled environment. The therapist designs the sessions in an upscale manner. Each session ensures that the person’s confidence increases. They add more complexity by changing the background noise or including more unexpected questions. Due to these environments, a person’s emotions are more authentic. The recordings give plenty of time for the therapist to study the person and steer them towards progress.
5. Depression
While depression may not be tied to specific fears or events, virtual reality therapy can still offer support by shifting perspective and encouraging emotional engagement. People dealing with depression often feel disconnected from the world around them. With VR, they can be transported into calming, natural environments, sunset beaches, quiet forests, or flowing rivers, which help reduce stress and improve mood.
Some VR programs also incorporate guided exercises like breathing techniques, journaling prompts, or positive affirmations inside the simulation. This makes therapy more engaging and helps patients practice self-care in nurturing, not forced ways.
➤ Benefits of Virtual Reality Therapy
✦ Enhanced Engagement:
The immersive nature of VR captures the user’s full attention, making therapy sessions more engaging and effective.
✦ Controlled Exposure:
Therapists can manipulate the virtual environment to introduce stressors at a manageable pace, ensuring the patient isn’t overwhelmed.
✦ Safe Environment:
Patients can confront their fears without real-world consequences, reducing the risk associated with exposure therapy.
✦ Accessibility:
VR therapy can be administered remotely, making mental health support more accessible to those in remote or underserved areas.
➤ Possible Challenges of Virtual Reality Therapy
- Technical Proficiency: Both therapists and patients require a certain level of comfort and proficiency with technology, which may necessitate additional training.
- Motion Sickness: Some users may experience discomfort or nausea during VR sessions, hindering the therapy’s effectiveness.
- Content Development: Creating diverse and culturally sensitive VR content that caters to a wide range of therapeutic needs is a complex and ongoing challenge.
Summing Up
VR has become a significant advancement in the healthcare sector. Virtual reality therapy involves realistic visuals and sounds to stimulate various scenarios. They can help people cope with underlying fears by facing them in a safe environment. VR offers a secure and controlled environment to practice situations that might feel too intense or risky in real life, making it a valuable tool for exposure therapy. Still, like any treatment, working with a qualified and experienced professional is essential.
