Is Virtual Reality dangerous for mental health?
- isabellaperrin97
- Jan 4, 2018
- 2 min read
A key issue that has cropped up throughout the journey of this documentary is whether the use of virtual reality has to be controlled because of its production of high level immersion.
Trying to suss out what is going on inside your head is a battle a lot of people have to face to know what action is best to take next. This first step is intrusive in itself for many people and putting yourself in a 'virtual' environment to be at one with your symptoms can be terrifying.
When Virtually Better spoke to Dr Kate Anthony two months ago and then Michael Madary (both featured in the documentary), a recurring theme was that for virtual reality to work with mental health- it has to be controlled.
a Virtual Reality health and safety guide
1. Make sure its comfortable on you head, this could be the first step to discomfort.
2. Do not use if tired, impaired sense of motion and balance.
3. Do not use if under the influence of alcohol, have digestive problems.
4. Do not use if you're anxious or under emotional stress.
5. See a doctor if you have a psychiatric condition.
6. Take 10-15 min breaks every 30 mins.
*Oculus rift VR guidelines*
If virtual reality is to work with someone with a mental health condition, then there has to be limitations to how much it can be used for. This doesn't necessarily mean posing restrictions or not allowing VR to work to its full potential, but to not harm someones mental health even more VR has to be measured.
In the guidelines to using Virtual reality it is advised that people who have a mental disorder, or have symptoms of anxiety are not to use virtual reality. Yet, it has shown very positive side effects when a person with anxiety uses virtual reality.
It is not confirmed as to whether it does positively change peoples symptoms as a whole, but for Katy's borderline personality, she felt she could express her disorder in more depth and feel that for once in her life she was able to explain exactly what goes on inside her head to her therapist.
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