So where does this virtual reality journey start?…

When I was younger, I often daydreamed of stepping into alternate realities. I think it’s pretty typical of a carefree child to dream about imagined worlds and fantasies, especially with books like Harry Potter and role-playing video games occupying so much of my mind and time. There is something quite enamouring about an altered state of life – perhaps because it gives people an escape from the familiarity of their own reality, and a peek into a complete contrast. 

Even as adults, we seem to be drawn to methods of escapism, whether it’s through technology, substances, or more. We can probably discuss at length the many reasons why “escaping” from our reality is so enticing, but one of the most common reasons is that it simply gives us a break from the daily grind in which we call work. 

Now enters virtual reality, a piece of technology that completely pulls us from our present senses to immerse us in a new state. 

What is Virtual Reality?

By now, I believe most of us have either heard of virtual reality and probably even tried it. It is often depicted as someone wearing a headset completely covering the eyes. 

For the person donning the headset, virtual reality (VR) allows them to enter a three-dimensional, technology generated environment that can be explored. With technology consistently transforming, the levels of immersion and interaction in virtual reality can vary greatly depending on the sophistication of the technology used. For a straightforward understanding, VR provides a perception of a reality that is different from the one you experience should you remove the headset. 

Virtual Reality, Anxiety, and Fears

Stepping into a simulated perception of reality can conjure up a multitude of emotional reactions. Many times, these feelings can be pleasant as we might be able to embrace the escape from real life that I mentioned. However, VR can also be used to present us with our greatest fears, in hopes to help us challenge our anxiety and manage it. 

Regardless of what our fear is, the comfortable response is usually to avoid it. Take for instance a very common fear of spiders; I don’t imagine somebody with a fear of spiders will take a trip to the nearest pet store and purchase a tarantula.  

Unfortunately, avoidance of fear cements that fear further. Remember the classic saying: “Face your fears?” Turns, out there is psychological truth to that. 

Dr. David H. Barlow, American psychologist and Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry at Boston University is well known for his research and treatment of anxiety disorders. He believes that the negative emotions we feel upon coming in contact with our feared stimulus is the very aspect that we try to resist from avoiding our fears.

Virtual reality enables someone to participate in gradual exposure to their fear and the accompanying anxiety by immersing themselves in an altered reality that recreates the feared situation.

Thinking back to the person with a fear of spiders – putting on a virtual reality headset can allow them to come in contact with a spider without actually being in presence of one. This can conjure up typical fear reactions (increased heart rate, trouble breathing, paralysis, etc.) in a safe environment and enable that person to slowly acclimatize to the impact of these reactions, realizing that these emotions can be managed.

A trained mental health professional like a counsellor or psychologist should facilitate this process by incorporating coping strategies when necessary and manipulating the reality which the user sees, creating different levels of exposure.

In short, I like to think of VR as training wheels on a bike, where the bike is the feared situation. 

9 VR Apps to Help You Face Your Fears

(*Please consult a mental health professional before trying out these apps*)

1. Richie’s Plank Experience(For Fear of Heights)
   1. Virtual Reality Platforms: HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, Windows Mixed Reality 

• Landscapes(For Fear of Heights)
  • Virtual Reality Platform: Samsung Gear VR

• Cityscapes(For Fear of Heights)
  • Virtual Reality Platform: Samsung Gear VR

• Fear of Public Speaking – Personal Life(Fear of Public Speaking & Social Anxiety)
  • Virtual Reality Platform: Samsung Gear VR

• School Life(Fear of Public Speaking & Social Anxiety)
  • Virtual Reality Platform: Samsung Gear VR)

• Business Life #BeFearless(Fear of Public Speaking)
  • Virtual Reality Platform: Samsung Gear VR

•  Limemlight VR(Fear of Public Speaking)
  • Virtual Reality Platform: HTC Vive

• Arachnophobia(Fear of Spiders)
  • Virtual Reality Platforms: HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, OSVR

• TheBlu(Fear of the Ocean)
  • Virtual Reality Platforms: HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, Windows Mixed Reality 

Reference:

Zamacona, E. A. (2012). Treatment of phobias with virtual reality. International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation, 19(5), 249. doi:10.12968/ijtr.2012.19.5.249

JANNIE NGO

My name is Jannie Ngo and I am currently completing a Master of Counselling Psychology program at Adler University. I have joined Parallel Wellness as a practicum student, hopeful to spend my limited time here learning from the incredible team and sharing my knowledge with all interested readers in my blog section – Learn with Jane. I’m hopeful that as a community we can normalize the conversation on mental health and learn together.