Allowing exposure to happen in a simulated and controlled environment can also help limit the stress sufferers already have plenty of when undergoing therapy. As seen in the video below, a particular strength of VR is its ability to recreate individually-tailored scenarios that evoke extremely specific memories in patients, such as a war veteran’s tour in the Middle East. In being able to target the specific source of the trauma, it can help patients overcome it in a hopefully more effective and efficient way. This is generally preferred to the traditional method of literally just imagining the traumatic event, which was usually done in lieu of real life exposure that was not possible for certain situations (like recreating a war zone).

What are the drawbacks to using VR for therapy?

Besides using VR outside of its intended use as an entertainment system, there are limitations to VR itself as a relatively new technology, mainly that people are simply not used to being within a simulation, let alone highly a stressful simulation. Extended period of time using a VR headset can lead to what experts call “cyber sickness” which is similar to motion sickness or nausea. This drawback can be especially detrimental when added on top of the other physical symptoms that can occur in a patient that has anxiety disorders, such headaches, upset stomach, and cold sweats.

If not carefully monitored, exposure therapy, virtual or not, can have negative effects on the patient and actually cause setbacks instead of progress. However, if a simulated situation becomes too much, a rather convenient thing about using VR for exposure is that removing oneself from the stressful situation is as easy as removing the headset. The same can’t be said for real-life exposure therapy where getting away from the trigger source is not always easily done like physically being unable to quickly get down from a high place when one has an extreme phobia of heights.

In the Photo: A man with his VR device. Photo Credit by Laurens Derks via Unsplash

How can VR help if you know it’s fake — does it really work?

In the same way one can have a strong emotional response to a movie or a song, VR can help elicit and evoke the same type of response. Just because something is “fake” does not mean it is not effective. In fact, in some cases, knowing that these simulated situations are fake can be empowering to some people who are trying to confront their trauma. VR therapy allows them to see how irrational their brain is reacting in spite of them know it is a virtual reality. Those suffering from PTSD know better than anyone that the mind is a very powerful organ that is both capable of making us relive our worst traumas — and giving us hope of a new day.

If you or someone you know is suffering from mental health issues, there is help available at the following resources here (available worldwide).