Virtual reality gives the illusion of something being there and it is generated to the extent that VR systems affords perception through contingencies.  This means that what we see matches movements which the brain concludes that these are our surroundings and the feelings are actually happening. With virtual reality, a high level of presence is achieved for situations that can trouble people. " A Virtual world which helps improve the real one." Is a saying used to describe that VR isn't obviously reality, but it does a pretty good job at replicating real life and with slight changes in the space around you- it could improve your real life. 

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"Out with the couch, on with the headset." 

 

You may be thinking how exactly can VR work in terms of the treatment of mental health. 

With eating disorders- Virtual reality can create environments that can bring on food cravings with response to VR food being compatible to real food. These techniques are added to implemented therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) which is used to improve body image. In 2016, a study showed that VR helped patients with anorexia nervosa to experience ownerhiship of a healthy body mass index which led to a reduction in body size overestimation. So perhaps this new research on understanding body ownership illusion in VR is likely to enhance eating disorder treatments? The possibilities are endless when it comes to VR. A therapist trying to help someone with a fear of heights wouldn't be able to create that same environment unlike virtual reality. Or, an anxious person could immerse themselves at a crowded festival and each time they face this fear their cognition is improved. 

 

"Vr has the potential to transform the assessment, understanding and treatment of mental health problems." 

 

Cambridge University have also  completed the first review of every study that has used VR to assess, understand, and treat mental health conditions. The earliest was undertaken almost 25 years ago, at a time when the cost and complexity of the equipment and programming meant that research was confined to a very small number of specialist centres. Since then 285 studies have been published. Most of those have focused on using VR to treat anxiety disorders and particularly phobias, social anxiety, and PTSD. The results have been encouraging — VR is a proven means of delivering rapid, lasting improvements.

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