VR stands for virtual reality. Using special virtual reality goggles may help relieve anxiety or depression.
The basics are in brief
- VR stands for virtual reality.
- Virtual reality glasses can fight anxiety disorders or depression.
- Patients almost face their fears.
Millions of people suffer from depression or anxiety disorders. They are often under severe stress and go in treatment for years.
The latest research now shows that discomfort can be alleviated with special virtual reality glasses.
Immerse yourself in virtual reality
VR stands for “virtual reality”. When seeing a specific object, the human brain processes two images that come from the left and right eyes.
The brain synthesizes the two images, creating a 3-D image. Virtual reality glasses also work according to this principle.
It is made of two lenses that create two slightly different images. As a result, what you see appears in 3D.
VR glasses wearers feel immersed in what they see. Diving into this world is called immersion.
Meanwhile, medicine also uses immersion to treat depression or anxiety disorders.
VR as a treatment
Among other things, virtual reality can be used against fear of heights and it works in a similar fashion to exposure psychotherapy. By wearing virtual reality glasses, therapists confront the patient with scenarios of fear of heights.
The patient can move unimpeded within the virtual space. For example, he runs as often as he wants, up or down the stairs.
The patient increases his self-confidence through his sense of achievement in the virtual space. Even in the real world, this measure will reduce fears.
Other anxiety disorders such as social phobia, fear of flying or fear of spiders can also be treated with the help of virtual reality. In virtual reality, for example, those affected have fewer fears about facing their fears than they do in real life.
Treating depression using virtual reality
Recent research is looking at whether VR could also help treat depression. There are still very few studies on this topic.
A 2016 study by University College London found that virtual reality could have a positive effect on people with depression. Therapy with VR led to significant changes in their health status in nine out of fifteen participants.
At about 55 percent, this improvement was classified as clinically significant.
