Overcoming Phobias with Technology
Exposure therapy is a novel treatment method utilized by psychiatrists to assist patients overcome their phobias. This approach involves exposing patients to the very thing they fear, which will be difficult and even dangerous in some cases. For instance, treating someone with a fear of snakes would typically require bringing a live snake into the office.
The Challenge of Traditional Exposure Therapy
Traditional exposure therapy will be limited by the necessity to bring the dreaded object or situation into the therapy setting. This will be impractical, expensive, and even dangerous. To address this challenge, Dr. Arash Javanbakht, director of the Stress, Trauma, and Anxiety Research Clinic (STARC) at Wayne State University, began a project to develop a brand new style of exposure therapy using augmented reality (AR).
Augmented Reality Exposure Therapy
The project aimed to create a technology that might insert lifelike visuals of the dreaded object into the patient’s environment. Patients can wear a headset and see the identical room they were in before, but with the addition of their feared object – on this case, spiders. This approach allows patients to confront their fears in a secure and controlled environment.
Measuring Progress
To measure the effectiveness of the AR exposure therapy, the researchers used a live tarantula named Tony STARC. Before starting the therapy, patients were asked to approach Tony’s tank, and their progress was noted. After a single session of AR exposure therapy, which lasted lower than an hour, all patients were in a position to touch either the tarantula or its tank. This significant improvement occurred because, as patients saw their feared object without being harmed, their bodies learned to appreciate that their fears were unfounded.
The Benefits of Augmented Reality
Previous experiments have used virtual reality (VR) for exposure therapy, but Dr. Javanbakht found that AR produces higher results. VR immerses the patient in a digital environment, whereas AR inserts digital objects into the patient’s real surroundings, making the experience feel more realistic. Although the experience shouldn’t be real, the patient’s instinctual fear response is triggered, allowing them to beat their phobia.
Future Applications
The preliminary studies on AR exposure therapy have shown promising results, not just for treating phobias but in addition for other conditions comparable to obsessive-compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. The goal is to implement this technology in clinical settings, making it a useful tool for psychiatrists and therapists.
Conclusion
The use of augmented reality in exposure therapy has the potential to revolutionize the best way we treat phobias and other mental health conditions. As Dr. Javanbakht noted, "This could definitely be a giant a part of the long run of the psychiatric field." With further research and development, AR exposure therapy may turn out to be a typical treatment approach, helping people overcome their fears and improve their mental health.
