Image copyright Oxford Univ Doctors are using virtual reality as a means of dealing with paranoia.
Patients suffering from delusions of persecution and asked for special glasses and headphones “enter” by using computer graphics subway car and a lift.
with the help of this method, the scientists wanted to show the 30 participants in the experiment, that the situations they fear, not really pose a no hazard.
The results of research conducted by experts at Oxford University, published in the scientific journal of psychiatry British journal of psychiatry.
One group of patients was asked to behave in the usual for them, the means protecting from the outside world -. for example, to avoid eye contact with other people
Another group tried to persuade weaken the protection and make sure that the approach graphically created for people to stand next to them and look at them – safe
<. h2 class = "story-body__crosshead"> “Paranoia retreats”
People have looked into the eyes of your fears, showed an impressive result – their paranoid delusions significantly weakened. At the end of the day, many of them have disappeared signs of acute paranoia.
Patients in the first group, too, there was some improvement.
“The essence of paranoia is unfounded conviction of the patient that it is threatened by virtual reality, we can help a person make sure that he is safe, and when he understands paranoia begins to retreat, “-. he said the head of research, professor of psychology at Daniel Freeman
<. p> The Oxford scientists believe that about 1-2% of the population at some point in life show signs of acute paranoia, which are normally associated with schizophrenia.
People with relevant experience symptoms so enormous sense of mistrust towards others, that avoid contact with humans and rarely leave the house.
The experiment was short-lived, the patients spent in the virtual reality only half an hour, and then their condition, researchers did not observe. But Professor Freeman still very pleased with the results.
“I think we looked to the future treatment of psychiatric disorders. In the virtual reality field occur revolutionary discoveries, new devices. They are becoming more affordable, and soon they can will be used not only in the clinical setting, but also at home, “- says Freeman
in the service of innovation in psychiatry
Toby Brabhemu 45 years. Over 20 years ago he was diagnosed with schizophrenia, he was haunted by paranoid delusions.
“I heard voices, they chased me. I tried not to go out, and when he had to, walked with his head down, not to look anyone . eyes I actually lived in isolation, “- he told me
Now Toby very successfully undergoing treatment and agreed to test for bi-bi-si model virtual reality
..” Once again I’ll be down in the subway or go to the elevator, I certainly remember their experience in virtual reality, and I think it will help to reduce the feeling of inner restlessness that I might have, “- said Toby after the experiment
“Virtual reality is a very effective method to assess the patient’s condition and treatment of mental disorders”, -. sure Catherine Adcock, head of the department of neurology and psychiatry of the British research institute Medical research Council
“The experiment showed that this method can be used in solving the serious problems in the field of psychiatry, “- she says
.” it’s great that the latest technology innovatively used in the treatment of very scary symptoms experienced by mentally ill people, “- said Brian Doe of the charity Rethink Mental Illness.
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