The Birth Place of virtual reality in psychology
Virtual reality was first introduced to the world of psychology in association with clinical psychology. It was originally used to treat phobias and different anxiety disorders. Psychologists were drawn to VR because of the possibility of immersing a person into another virtual environment which made exposure therapy much easier and much more practical. It gave the psychologist more control over the treatment because they were able to use an environment that would allow them to focus on the triggers while also putting more control in the patients' hands as well. It also allows psychologists to help patients with a variety of phobias and anxiety disorders that they may not be able to help with as easily without the use of VR, such as a fear of flying. From that point it has been expanded to be able to treat a variety of other disorders such as gender dysphoria, eating disorders, body image disorders, and depression to name a few. Virtual reality has completely revolutionized clinical psychology and goes well hand in hand with original treatment techniques.
Anxiety/PTSD
Anxiety is one of the most common mental health problems in the United States. Exposure therapy has been found to be one of the most effective techniques in treating anxiety disorders. First the patient and therapist together identify the hierarchy of anxiety inducing stimuli for the patient and then begin the process of exposure to those stimuli. Exposure therapy can be time consuming and expensive, where as Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRE) is more convenient and can save money. The virtual reality software programs can be used from the therapists office to combat a variety of anxiety disorders such as phobias, PTSD, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder. The client faces their fear in the virtual world which makes them feel as if it is real and they are actually there. The clinician has full control over the anxiety triggers and can help guide the client through the experience giving them a greater sense of control over the situation. From this experience they can learn techniques and strategies to be able to face these situations in real life.
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Depression
One study suggests that VR could increase feelings of self-compassion and decrease feelings of self-criticism resulting in the reduction of depressive symptoms. People with depression tend to have a difficult time being compassionate towards themselves but are often good at being compassionate towards others. In the study 15 adults with depression underwent three sessions of VR therapy where they embodied an avatar who was supposed to expression compassion towards a distressed child avatar. As they talked the child calmed down. The next phase was that the participants then embodied the child avatar and heard their own voice as the adult avatar expression compassion towards them. The results illustrated significant drops in depressive symptoms and many of the participants reported being less self-critical in real life situations.
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Gender Dysphoria
This site describes what it is like using VR to swap bodies with a person of the opposite gender. They are using two sets of equipment, one for each person, so that they can experience what it is like to be in the body of the opposite person. The goal is to create a sense of empathy looking through the eyes of another person. The two people shake hands with one another while embodying the other which leads to the true connection of the embodiment experience. It is explained that in this scenario you don't feel like you are in virtual reality, you feel as though you are in the body of the other person. This creates a sense of empathy and has been shown to be very powerful, especially in situations of race. It is also thought that this experience would be helpful in treating individuals suffering from gender dysphoria. Gender dysphoria is when one identifies with a sex other than the one that they were assigned at birth. This experience of being in another body, of the opposite gender, is thought to be similar to what these individuals experience on a daily basis. This system allows others to understand what it is like for those struggling with gender dysphoria and creates a sense of empathy for them at the same time that it allows individuals suffering from gender dysphoria to have a chance to be themselves in a body that fits them.
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Eating disorders/body image disorders
This study examined the use of VR as part of cognitive behavioral therapy to normalize eating patterns in those with bulimia nervosa. When the treatment began using VR the patient originally avoided food, especially meat, but there was a reduction in this avoidance by the last two sessions. Additionally the results indicated that there was a reduction in the fear of eating as well as an increase in impulse control. The patient reported that the VR experience seemed real and close to reality. After the seven VR sessions there was a decrease in the drive for thinness, ineffectiveness, bulimia, as well as BITE symptoms and severity. The patient also had a greater motivation and desire to change. The results of this study indicate that VR is an effective tool in treating patients with bulimia nervosa.
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