When we were kids and dreamed of virtual reality, it seemed like a distant possibility (or was that just me?). Well now it is not only part of our daily life, but it has the power to support our mental health.
Virtual Reality (VR) uses 3D displays that are placed close to the eyes to give users an immersive experience of a virtual world. This experience can be used for entertainment but also for our mental health.
Professionals in health care use this technology to help their clients deal with different situations by exposing them (virtually) within the safe space of therapy. They also help to stimulate their mood with different experiences and activities.
In this article, we will explore 6 different ways in which virtual reality (VR) can help with mental health. And if you are interested in creating a virtual reality platform and don't know what music to use, I invite you to read this music licensing guide.
1. Exposure Therapy
We all have certain situations, people, memories, etc. that we are afraid of. However, some people take these to an extreme, developing anxiety disorders based on avoiding what they fear at all costs, which significantly reduces their quality of life.
Exposure therapy consists of making a hierarchy of those situations that trigger fear, anxiety or discomfort in the client and gradually exposing them to them until they realize that they can tolerate and overcome their fears.
Now, imagine someone who has a phobia of flying on an airplane. It is very difficult to do exposure therapy and help them without them actually buying a ticket, which can be very costly and impractical.
Thanks to virtual intelligence (VR), therapists can recreate the very experiences that people want to avoid from within the safe therapy space, and then scale the intensity according to the client's needs and goals.
If you are struggling with fear and anxiety, these 8 healing crystals can help you on your healing journey.
2. Stress and Anxiety Reduction
A 2021 study found that virtual reality (VR) is an excellent adjunct to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in the treatment of stress and anxiety. This is related to the fact that the client can be exposed to different challenging situations, work on their emotional regulation and respond effectively to them because they know they are safe.
The therapy space becomes the most secure place to explore difficult emotions that might never surface if it were not for virtual reality (VR). In addition, they can access scenarios that trigger anxiety that might be too difficult to recreate in therapy.
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3. PTSD Treatment
PTSD is a mental health disorder that develops after a person undergoes a traumatizing, highly dangerous or frightening experience.
One of the most effective treatments for this type of disorder is to expose the person to the memory of the traumatic event while the therapist measures the level of intensity. This treatment aims to stop the memory of the traumatic event from activating the "fight or flight" response in the nervous system.
Now, having the patient close their eyes and remember the event is not as effective as reliving it immersively with virtual reality (VR). That is why many studies attest that it is an excellent tool for treating PTSD.
4. Addiction
Addictions to alcohol or other substances are often ways to cope with anxiety or depression, which creates a vicious cycle that is difficult to break out of.
Virtual reality (VR) is an excellent option that can teach clients to stay calm and controlled when triggers and cravings appear. Many addiction centers in the U.S. are already using this technology as part of recovery treatment.
5. Social Skills Training
Studies have found that therapeutic interventions using virtual reality (VR) are more effective in improving social skills in children and adolescents, compared to more traditional approaches.
VR interventions can be used with typically developed persons as well as persons with neurological problems. These individuals can practice the social skills they usually struggle with in a variety of settings and from a safe, controlled space.
If you struggle with social anxiety, mindfulness is an effective technique that can support your treatment.
6. Pain Management
Numerous studies have shown that virtual reality (VR) is effective in controlling pain, including periprocedural, perioperative and chronic pain. One of the great benefits of VR is that it is a non-invasive and drug-free approach to treating pain and physical disability.
People who use VR report less anxiety when recovering from burns, falls, and other conditions that cause a lot of physical pain.
This effect is related to the fact that the person is distracted by the different stimuli of the virtual environment in which they are immersed. The highly auditory and visual sensations alter the behavior of the pain modulation systems.
In fact, the effects of VR are similar to those of opioids in the way they influence the sensory cortex.
Conclusion
Virtual reality (VR) has come a long way over the last 20 years. It not only offers an infinite number of possibilities in the world of entertainment, but it is also having a positive impact on the field of mental health.
Technology, when at the service of wellness and mental health, can become a powerful ally that can improve our quality of life. So if you are going through a rough patch and have not considered VR as an option, I encourage you to add it as a complement to your healing journey. The possibilities are truly endless.
Very interesting, Narek. Thanks.