People often ask, why is VR so expensive?
Let’s find out!
What Is Virtual Reality Therapy?
Virtual reality therapy (VRT) is a form of psychotherapy that uses immersive technology to create an experience where the patient can immerse themselves in a simulated environment and interact with it as if they were actually there.
The goal of this treatment is to help patients confront their fears or phobias by exposing them to situations that are safe but which would otherwise be too scary for them to face. It also helps people who have experienced trauma to process those experiences through exposure therapy.
How Does VRT Work?
There are two main types of VRT:
Immersive Simulations
A patient wearing a head-mounted display (HMD) sees a 3D representation of their surroundings while hearing sounds from the real environment.
They may feel sensations from the real environment or even experience some degree of physical injury. This way, they’re able to explore the virtual environment without exposing themselves to any real dangers.
Immersion Haptics
A patient wearing a suit containing pressure sensor technology interacts with a virtual environment created by a computer program.
The software detects if the patient is pushing too hard against an object in the virtual world. If so, the software automatically adjusts the level of force applied by the patient.
This form of treatment has been used successfully to help people with post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD) and social anxiety disorders.
Why Do We Need VRT?
While VRT is relatively new, research has shown that it can be effective in treating many different types of psychological disorders.
Here are some of VRT’s most common uses:
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Social Anxiety Disorder
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Panic Attacks
- Phobia
- Depression
- Addiction
- Anxiety Disorders
- Depression
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
- Panic Attacks
- Phobia
- Social Anxiety Disorder
- Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome
- Trauma
- Addiction
- Alcoholism
- Substance Abuse
- Mental Health Issues
- Cancer Treatment
- Physical Rehabilitation
- Physical Disabilities
What Can Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy Help With?
Treating symptoms associated with anxiety and PTSD, and helping people with traumatic brain injury focus their attention.
VR Exposure Therapy: What is it?
VRET is a type of treatment for anxiety disorders that involves using virtual reality technology. It aims to help people overcome their fears by exposing them to feared stimuli through virtual reality.
You’re exposed to your PTSD trigger(s) in a safe and controllable environment. In some instances, it may be difficult to recreate the experience that caused your PTSD, like military-related trauma or severe car crashes, for example.
VRT (Virtual Reality Therapy) can be used to recreate those situations and create an environment that simulates the patient’s real-life experience.
The skin peels off layer by layer until you reach the core. Initially, you may not want to do it, but eventually, you’ll be glad you did. It’s an absolute must!
What Is Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy Like?
Your therapy session will involve talking about what happened to you and creating the right conditions for your VRT. You may use a virtual-realty headset or go into a darkened space with multiple screens that create an immersive experience similar to what your trauma was like when it occurred.
There can be things like lights, music, smells, and vibrations that can help you reenact the trauma and emotional responses. There can be things like light shows, music, smells, or vibrations that can enhance the experience.
The setup is designed so that you can face the situations that cause you stress and anxiety without having to go through them alone.
Your therapist will guide you through the experience and use medication and/or cognitive behavioral techniques to help you cope with the situation.
Please note that VRET can sometimes lead to dizziness or headaches, especially if you’ve had a previous head injury.
Why Does Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy Work?
Some individuals who suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may have a natural response to reminders of their past traumas that causes them to feel fearful.
Exposure therapy involves exposing people to their fears in a controlled setting so they can learn to cope with them. For example, if someone has post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) because of military combat, exposure therapy might involve having them experience the sights and sounds of war without actually going into battle.
With traditional prolonged exposure therapy, you’re able to learn how to cope better with your anxiety and change your thoughts about the traumatic event.
This may lead to gradually becoming accustomed to the trigger and coming to terms with its effects. Over time, your reactions to the trigger will decrease in intensity.
How Strong Is the Evidence?
Evidence suggests that VRT (Videogame Therapy) may be effective for treating posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A few research papers show that VRT is associated with decreased PTSD symptoms and increased quality of life.
As the total time spent playing games decreases, so too does the effectiveness of treatment.
These benefits were found to last for up to three months after treatment ended. A study conducted by researchers from the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine showed similar results.
Preliminary results suggest that VRT may be an effective adjunct therapy for PTSD patients. However, additional studies are necessary before any conclusions can be drawn.
What Makes for Effective Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy?
If you’re looking for someone who has experience treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and/or traumatic brain injury (TBI), look for a licensed professional who specializes in using extended exposure therapy techniques.
Conclusion
We hope that this article was helpful. If you have any queries feel free to reach out in the comments section below.
