Did you know that 70% of adults experience at least one traumatic event in their lifetime? That’s not all; 20% of people who experience a traumatic event will develop post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
On average, about 13 million people have PTSD in a given year, and 1 in 13 people will develop PTSD at some point in their life.
Alarming, isn’t it? But, it isn’t more frightening than the fact that individuals with PTSD have an increased risk of suicide compared to the general population.
But what if there was a way to overcome this? Imagine stepping into a safe, controlled virtual environment that allows you to confront and work through traumatic experiences at your own pace. This isn’t science fiction—it’s a reality helping countless individuals reclaim their lives!
In this blog, we will explore what PTSD is, traditional treatments, using virtual reality to treat PTSD, and its benefits. Let’s get started.
What is PTSD?
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. Most people associate it with soldiers who have been in active combat. But, it is not just limited to that. PTSD affects people of all ages and can develop after a person is exposed to one or multiple traumatic events such as warfare, natural disasters, serious accidents, terrorist acts, or personal assaults like physical or mental abuse.
Sometimes, when people have a traumatic experience, they may have temporary difficulty adjusting and coping, but with time and good self-care, they usually get better. But, if the symptoms worsen, last for months or even years, and interfere with day-to-day functioning, they may have PTSD.
The impact of PTSD can be profound, with long-term consequences affecting personal and social relationships, as well as physical and mental health. A few common symptoms include disturbing thoughts, feelings, or dreams related to the traumatic event; psychological or physical distress due to cues associated with the trauma; avoidance of the event reminders, changes in thoughts or feelings; and increased fight-or-flight response1. Moreover, a person with PTSD is at higher risk for suicide and intentional self-harm2.
How is PTSD Traditionally Treated?
Traditionally, PTSD is treated through a combination of psychotherapy and medication aimed at relieving symptoms and improving overall functioning. Research has shown that three forms of trauma-focused therapy are used in treating PTSD – cognitive processing therapy (CPT), prolonged exposure therapy, and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)3. According to the National Center for PTSD, 53 of 100 patients who receive one of these three therapies will no longer have PTSD4.
Let us look at each of these therapies in detail.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps patients recognize and change thought patterns that lead to troublesome emotions, behaviors, and reactions. Techniques such as cognitive processing therapy (CPT) are explicitly used to treat PTSD by helping patients learn how to challenge and modify unhelpful beliefs related to the trauma.
- Prolonged Exposure Therapy involves repeated, detailed imagining of the trauma or progressive exposures to symptom triggers in a controlled manner to help reduce the distress they commonly induce.
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) combines exposure therapy with a series of guided eye movements that help process traumatic memories and change the way the brain responds to memories of trauma.
While these methods have proven to be effective, studies have demonstrated discontinuation of treatment in 20–25% of veterans with PTSD, as they found the treatment to be “too stressful.”5 A few other barriers to traditional PTSD therapies include limited access to a therapist trained in trauma-focused therapy, PTSD survivors who may not wish to use a conventional treatment approach, or cost and insurance coverage6.
How Does Virtual Reality Help with PTSD?
Virtual Reality (VR) is emerging as a powerful tool in the treatment of PTSD, offering a unique and immersive way to confront and process traumatic memories. Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET) for PTSD utilizes advanced technology to create realistic, controlled environments where patients can safely confront their fears and traumatic experiences. A study has revealed that VRET has a reported success rate of between 66% and 90%.
That’s not all; studies have shown that VRET is an effective way to treat people experiencing depression, who may be reluctant to seek traditional therapy, and could be used as an alternative form of treatment to in-person therapy for people with social anxiety7.
VRET allows patients to immerse themselves in a 3D, interactive environment through a VR headset that closely simulates the traumatic event or related stressors. This controlled exposure helps them to desensitize and gradually reduce their emotional response to these triggers.
Unlike traditional exposure therapy, which relies on the patient’s imagination or verbal recounting, VR provides a vivid and tangible experience, which can be more effective in triggering the necessary emotional and cognitive responses for healing.
Studies have shown that the re-activation of trauma memory with VRET introduces new, corrective information about safety and security within the therapeutic setting into patients’ cognitive patterns, thereby reducing fear and anxiety resulting from individual experiences8.
Benefits of Virtual Reality Treatment for PTSD
Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET) is revolutionizing the treatment of PTSD, offering numerous benefits that enhance traditional therapeutic approaches. Here is virtual reality therapy for PTSD has proven to be beneficial:
Enhanced Realism
A scientific trial had ten volunteers, veterans suffering from PTSD who had not responded to multiple treatments, sign up for a virtual project called “Virtual Vietnam.” The trial had each volunteer use a VR headset while a therapist manipulated the sights and sounds to mimic a war environment while each patient told of their trauma. After a month’s treatment, the trial showcased positive results for all ten patients, who showed significant improvement9.
VR provides an immersive, realistic experience that can closely mimic real-life situations. This high level of realism can help patients confront and process their traumatic memories more effectively than traditional methods, which often rely on imagination or verbal descriptions. Its immersive nature ensures that patients are fully engaged in the therapy, making it easier to evoke the necessary emotional and cognitive responses for healing.
Personalized Therapy
A significant advantage of VR therapy is its ability to be tailored to each patient’s unique experiences. Yet another experiment was conducted on victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the USA, where survivors saw the buildings, saw the plane fly into the buildings, heard the sounds, and watched the explosion, and it yielded positive results10.
The above example showcases VR’s ability to curate customized scenarios that replicate specific aspects of a patient’s trauma, ensuring that the therapy is directly relevant and targeted. This level of personalization can significantly enhance the effectiveness of the treatment, as it addresses each individual’s unique needs and triggers.
Controlled and Safe Environment
A real-life example of a war veteran who underwent VRET was exposed to a simulated war environment. He claimed his first session took him back to Iraq11 . He says, “I was on a convoy. I remember a helicopter flying overhead — a Black Hawk. We saw those daily in Iraq. It was the first time I’d heard one since I came home. My heart was beating. I was sweating. I was holding an M16 rifle, and I almost freaked out. It was too much. Then there was an explosion.”11
However, after 13 sessions with a therapist in a controlled setting, he said, “You go over the story over and over again. I got so bored with my own story that it no longer elicited a reaction.”11
This example demonstrates how VR allows patients to face their fears and traumatic memories in a controlled and safe environment. Controlling the intensity and pace of exposure helps ensure that patients are not overwhelmed, reducing the risk of re-traumatization. It also provides a secure space for patients to work through their trauma without the risk of real-world harm.
Gradual Exposure and Desensitization
A common worry amongst therapists concerning exposure therapy is that it will be distressing for the patient, leading to them dropping out of treatment. A significant concern is that when therapists have no way to control exposure, there is a risk that exposure may sensitize the patient and worsen anxiety12.
With VRET, therapists can control different aspects of the patients’ experience during exposure, thus permitting gradual, repeatable, individualized exposure12. It can gradually increase the intensity of the exposure to the traumatic memory, allowing patients to build tolerance and reduce their fear response over time.
This approach helps patients become desensitized to their triggers in a manageable and systematic way, leading to long-term reductions in anxiety and distress.
Reduction in Stigma and Accessibility
Several studies have shown that accounts and experiences of trauma survivors may go unacknowledged across many cultures due to stigmatization. It also showcased the negative attitudes towards trauma survivors in a society that result in avoidant help-seeking behaviors13.
VR therapy can help reduce the stigma associated with seeking mental health treatment. The use of advanced technology can make therapy feel more modern and less intimidating, encouraging more individuals to seek help.
Additionally, VR therapy can be delivered in various settings, including clinics, hospitals, and even at home, with the appropriate equipment, increasing accessibility for those who may have difficulty attending traditional therapy sessions.
XRHealth: Treating Trauma with VR Therapy!
XRHealth is a dedicated VR therapy platform for healthcare. We redefine therapeutic healthcare from patients to providers. Our eXperience Space platform utilizes VR for relaxation and mindfulness, enhancing patient care in clinical settings. We also enable patient engagement and outcomes with our groundbreaking virtual reality platform for therapists – the Mental Health Space.
That’s not all; we integrate immersive VR technology with advanced data analytics on one platform, aiding healthcare providers in delivering a comprehensive care solution for their patients. The platform offers specialized FDA-registered VR apps with over 140 VR environments catering to 16+ therapeutic areas and are reimbursable by Medicare. Our virtual clinics empower patients to receive care anytime, anywhere, provided by our licensed therapists using VR technology.
Overcome Your Trauma with VRET Today!
