The Scope of Virtual Reality in Mental healthcare
Awareness about mental health has skyrocketed in the last
decade. Much research has come out in recent years have shown that mental
health problems among the general population is higher than what was originally
thought of people. It shattered the illusion that only a select few suffer from
these problems. And as a result, people are now aware that mental health
problems deserve attention as much as physical health.
Nowadays, fortunately, there are many treatment options out
there for those who suffer from this problem. They can get help from a
therapist from a variety of disciplines, which can help them to overcome or
cope with their disease. They can even get help from specialists who are
experts in treating certain diseases
The way patients are treated also has evolved over the
years. Experts have introduced many techniques and tools, to better diagnose
and treat disease.
pandemics, however, have shown that psychological treatments
can be done in new ways with the help of technology. Many therapists continue
to treat their patients using a technology such as a video conferencing. It has
helped thousands of patients to continue their treatment process, without
worrying about the risks associated with face-to-face consultations.
Virtual
reality is one such technology that has the potential to revolutionize
mental health. Technology, which really immerses people into an alternate
reality, has a lot of possibilities that the therapist can explore. Appearance
Let's look at some of them:
Treatment
VR
can be used to treat various types of mental illness, including PTSD and
phobias. It was first shown by Dr.Rizzo, known as the father of the clinical
virtual reality industry.
Back in 2003, he started a program called Bravemind with US
troops. The program aims to assist returning US soldiers to overcome their PTSD
with the help of VR. The program exposed the soldiers to an environment similar
to what they were exposed to during their time serving in the army. This allows
them to work through their emotions and recover better.
Phobias can be treated equally. Leading technique used to
treat phobias such as fear of heights or snakes is exposure therapy. Under
exposure therapy, patients are gradually exposed to their fears. This made
getting stronger stimulus to the patient fears disappear.
For example, if a patient has a fear of heights, they can be
brought to the top of a small building first. Then the therapist can be
gradually increased with increasing altitude as the patient becomes more
accustomed to and they finally were able to cope with the higher altitude
without fear.
In VR, this can be done by simulating the patient
experiences fear. This will give the therapist more control over the entire
process. It also will make the experience that much more secure.
Additionally, VR also allows the therapist to provide better
health mental secluded. In a virtual reality setting, the patient will feel
like a therapist right next to them, which will make them more comfortable. As
opposed to a video conference, where the patient may feel disconnected from the
therapist. This approach can help patients better opening and therapists to
help them better then even if they are far away.
Already, there are many services available for virtual
reality headset that therapists can be used for treatment. Psious applications
such as providing 70 + virtual reality environment that therapists can immerse
their patients.
Diagnosis
One disadvantage many quotes about traditional mental health
diagnosis process is that it relies on pen and paper. Typically, patients are
asked to fill out a questionnaire and, on the answers,, the therapist
understand the disease. But sometimes this method may not give the therapist
all the details they need.
But by using a virtual reality together with this
questionnaire the therapist can gain more insight into their patient's disease.
This is illustrated by a group of researchers who are trying
to diagnose Alzheimer's using VR. One of the symptoms of Alzheimer's including
spatial disorientation. In the study mentioned, the researchers drowning person
in a virtual
environment and test their navigational skills. The researchers concluded
that VR better navigation tests to identify the onset of Alzheimer's than many
of the methods used today.
We can be sure that researchers will use similar methods in
the future to diagnose other diseases.
help themselves
While not a substitute for therapy to treat the disease much
less severe mental health self-help, when used wisely, can help people overcome
their mental problems.
eg smartphone users can use the self-help applications to
solve some of their problems. Many of them like What's Up? using the principles
of therapeutic approaches such as CBT and ACT. Using this application, people
can get the help they deserve without stigma or violate their bank.
Virtual reality can take this one step further. With virtual
reality, people can get the help of an AI-powered virtual therapist. This
virtual therapist can guide patients and better, similar to how smartphone apps
do now, but only better.
Also read our : software
testing services in san Francisco , USA
Some mental health experts caution against this approach,
however. Because the treatment itself can cause many problems. People may even
refuse to get professional help to think they can do it themselves when they
actually can not.
But the self VR applications may have their own space in the
future. If not as a standalone treatment option, then at least as a supplement
to the real therapy.
Conclusion
VR has the potential to become an integral part of mental
health care in the future. many features can help therapists provide better
care for their patients.
If you want to build a mental health VR application, you can
hire the services of our VR
development. We are a team of experts VR to develop solutions
that adhere to strict guidelines.
No comments:
Post a Comment