By combining emerging technologies with those already in place, the Metaverse, through virtual reality, could become the new psychologist’s couch of the 21st century.
Definition of the Metaverse
The Metaverse refers to a virtual world accessible via the internet. It is also synonymous with a collection of virtual worlds connected to the internet, often in the form of augmented reality.
In science fiction, the Metaverse represents immersive virtual worlds so realistic that participants may be unaware they are in a simulation, sometimes viewed as a digital prison.
This digital and virtual world offers many possibilities, particularly in mental health, as it allows for situational therapy and treatments that differ from traditional ones.
Advantages of the Metaverse in Therapeutic Treatment
The Metaverse, beyond being a virtual world connected to the internet, offers the possibility of creating fully controlled virtual environments from scratch. This could help treat a variety of mental health disorders.
For example, a person suffering from social disorders, phobias, or depression may find it difficult to receive treatment in a typical environment. The Metaverse can address this by creating unfamiliar places and situations for these individuals. These environments would be adaptable and could evolve along with the analysis of the patient’s psychological condition.
For instance, an agoraphobic patient begins in the Metaverse with a calm scene, such as a private virtual living room where they are alone or with only a few people. As the patient progresses, the environment gradually expands, first introducing them to controlled open spaces, like a deserted park. If the patient experiences anxiety, the Metaverse instantly adjusts the environment, reducing the open space and reintroducing comforting elements like invisible walls or familiar places. At each stage, the intensity of the experience is adjusted based on the patient’s reactions, allowing them to face their fears at their own pace.
Mental Health for Isolated Individuals
Beyond treating psychological phobias, the Metaverse can support the mental health of those who feel isolated or are suffering from depression. To combat this, virtual support communities can be created and are being implemented to fight isolation.
These networks are active and available at any time, such as Lumeen, a French start-up launched in 2019 that uses virtual reality to enhance the health of seniors. Its goal is to provide moments of escape by allowing healthcare professionals to organize collective, non-medicated therapeutic immersion sessions for elderly and dependent individuals.
The strengths of this technology combined with the psychological medical field include improved accessibility and flexibility in consultations. This allows professionals to connect with patients remotely in virtual clinics, greatly enhancing the telemedicine experience.
However, the benefits must be measured carefully, without crossing the potential dangers of the Metaverse.
Ethical and Long-Term Considerations
In addition to the psychological medical benefits of the Metaverse, professionals must be aware of the ethical questions and challenges posed by these technologies.
There are risks of digital addiction and exacerbation of certain mental health disorders. It is also essential to look beyond short-term treatment outcomes and consider the long-term effects of these technologies.
This forward-thinking approach to mental health treatment emphasizes the responsibility of healthcare professionals in addressing these issues. Legal, ethical, and medical challenges are crucial to ensure that this technology can be used in a benevolent manner, with a human-centered focus in the decision-making process.
Sources:
https://pro-seniors.fr/les-metaverses-quelles-applications-pour-les-seniors/
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Métavers
[1] https://fr.cointelegraph.com/news/real-health-benefits-will-come-when-medicine-and-the-metaverse-collide
