Virtual Reality in Mental Health — FAD or Fact?
An insight into the use of VR simulations in supporting mental health management.
Technology has swiftly made its way into the healthcare industry, including mental health.
Digital tools and technology have already paved their path in what we call mental health technology — supporting the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and management of mental health disorders. It started with mobile applications, online therapy platforms, and telemedicine services and now VR simulations have joined the league.
You heard that right. I’m talking about VR — Virtual Reality.
Virtual Reality is known for creating a simulated environment through computer graphics and sensory feedback. And while it’s widely used in the gaming industry, I was surprised to learn how VR is making room for mental health treatment and management!
For those of you who don’t know what VR is about — it’s a technology that immerses users in a computer-generated environment. Through VR, users can interact with the ‘simulated environment’ through various input devices, such as hand controllers or body sensors.
How does VR work in Mental Health Technology?
The whole point of bringing VR into mental health technology is to make mental health care more accessible, affordable, and convenient for individuals who avoid traditional in-person services.
Yes — people DO avoid mental help therapy.
A 2021 study conducted by Sapien Labs revealed that almost half of Americans do not seek professional help for mental disorders, with 22% of them fearful of not wanting people to know.
This is where VR can help.
VR Simulation can help patients manage some of their mental health conditions while maintaining their privacy. It is particularly useful in the management of anxiety disorders, phobias, PTSD, and depression. The technology allows individuals to be fully immersed in simulated environments that can trigger or simulate symptoms of their disorders safely.
That way they can learn to face their fears by challenging themselves in a virtually vulnerable environment.
Here’s how VR can help in managing some mental disorders:
Anxiety
Anxiety disorders make up most of the mental illnesses in the US.
VR technology can help in managing anxiety. It simulates exposure to feared situations or ‘stimuli’, such as public speaking in people with social anxiety or different phobias, such as heights. This can help individuals confront and overcome their fears in a controlled and supportive environment.
PTSD
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD affects 5 out of every 100 adults in a year. In 2020 alone, almost 13 million Americans had PTSD.
This is again where virtual reality can help.
VR technology can simulate traumatic events or situations that can trigger symptoms of the disorder. This can help individuals to process and desensitize to traumatic memories and triggers in a safe and controlled environment.
Depression
Depression is a highly common yet severely undermined form of mental disorder. Globally, at least 5% of adults suffer from depression.
VR technology can facilitate the treatment of depression, by providing immersive and interactive activities that promote positive emotions, social interaction, and engagement with the environment.
It can also provide new opportunities for early intervention and prevention, as well as support for ongoing self-care and management.
Will VR Actually Work?
Or is it just another FAD?
Fortunately, it’s not. In fact, psychiatrists and neurobehavior therapists are actually researching how VR and Immersive Technologies can be used to manage functional neurologic disorders.
Dr. Kim Bullock, the Director of Stanford’s Neurobehavioral Clinic and Virtual Reality & Immersive Technologies (VRIT) program is one such researcher who is exploring the use of mental health technology in treating psychiatric illnesses. She is particularly focused on using tech for trauma treatment through the use of immersive technologies. Her keen areas of interest include treating psychiatric illnesses by disrupting bodily perception and function, which is where the use of augmented reality and VR comes in.
Wrap Up
Virtual Reality (VR) technology appears to be a promising means of managing various mental health disorders, with the potential to improve the lives of millions of people around the world.
It provides a safe and controlled environment for patients to confront and overcome their fears and anxieties, and has been effective in treating conditions such as PTSD, anxiety disorders, and phobias.
As VR technology advances, it can be a viable option for more individuals seeking mental health treatment.
Disclaimer: VR should not be viewed as a replacement for traditional therapy or medication, but rather as a complementary tool in managing mental health issues.