OCD affects approximately 70 million people worldwide, and virtual reality is growing increasingly popular as technology advances. However, how does virtual reality impact children with OCD, and are there any dangers to children with this mental health condition utilising VR?
At the School of Modern Skills, we have only the best facilities available to get the best academic results and teach our students what they need to thrive in the world. With mixed reality learning integrated into your teaching, we want students to dive into the world of technology and become pioneers – but what are the limitations with mixed reality and virtual reality?
Understanding OCD
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, commonly known as OCD, is a type of mental health condition where someone has obsessive thoughts accompanied by compulsive behaviours. This condition has frequently (and falsely) been associated with people who are organised and neat. However, this is not accurate and, while some compulsions might include cleaning, a person with OCD is focused on repeating the behaviour of that “one thing” that needs to be done correctly.
Commonly, people with OCD repeat these behaviours because they believe that doing so will prevent something bad from happening, or doing it will make them feel better. These behaviours are not usually connected to any real danger, though, but the compulsion to do it is difficult to ignore.
There are three main elements to OCD: obsessions, emotions, and compulsions. Everyone with this mental health condition will experience it differently. Some will have more obsessive thoughts than they do compulsions, and for others it will be the other way around.
Symptoms of OCD
Symptoms of OCD vary greatly from person to person, and no two experiences will be exactly the same. For this reason, it’s crucial to approach every person as an individual and work on a case-by-case basis rather than trying to find a blanket fix for everyone.
Below are some examples of OCD behaviours:
- Having the need to do something over and over, such as checking if a door is locked, washing your hands, or placing things in a particular order
- Frequently having recurring unwanted impulses, thoughts or images in your head that cause distress, such as anxiety
- Needing to do something repeatedly according to particular rules that need to be followed to ensure that the obsession goes away
- Saying or thinking something over and over, such as repeating words, counting, both in your mind or out loud
Common behaviours that are associated with OCD include:
- Excessive handwashing
- Continuously checking if doors are locked
- Only being able to leave a room at particular times (e.g. 7:45, 7:50, 7:55, etc)
- Worrying that you will accidentally harm yourself or others
- Organising things for symmetry (e.g. ensuring all labels on cans face the same direction)
Are There Different Types of OCD?
There may be different terms for varying types of OCD, but these terms and acronyms do not have any medical meaning. For this reason, we will not be listing different “types” of OCD, as all this has done within the community is delay people from accessing the treatment and help they need.
A Breakdown of Virtual Reality
There is often some confusion regarding virtual reality and mixed reality. However, these are two very different things, though they can both be used in educational contexts. Virtual reality can be an excellent learning tool for children with ADHD, but is also useful for any child.
In VR, the “real” environment is substituted for the technology environment – whether this is in the form of games, videos, or something else. For this, the user has to be wearing an immersive VR device, such as the Samsung HMD Odyssey+.
Virtual Reality and its Role in Education
One aspect of mixed reality is virtual reality, which can be an excellent learning tool for children with ADHD, but is also useful for any child. In VR, the “real” environment is substituted for the technology environment – whether this is in the form of games, videos, or something else. For this, the user has to be wearing an immersive VR device.
More commonly, augmented reality is used for educational purposes. This is also done via the uses of technology and devices, but allows for digital or virtual information or data to be overlaid across our environments to create a blend of the two.
How Does Virtual Reality Impact Children with OCD?
As incredible and useful as virtual reality is, there are limitations to it, as well as dangers. Dubai schools are utilising virtual reality and mixed reality learning in the most incredible ways, but this always needs to be done safely.
Virtual reality is safe for children, but not young children, as we do not yet know what kind of impact it could have on young, developing brains. However, mixed reality via augmented reality is hugely beneficial and can promote cognitive engagement while helping students understand challenging topics.
With that being said, virtual reality is a method of treatment for OCD, though this has largely been tested in adults. Outside of schools, VR could be a key tool for helping to treat and alleviate symptoms of OCD in individuals who struggle with their rituals.
The Advantages of Using Virtual Reality with OCD
Using virtual reality can be a useful tool for exposing someone with OCD to the distressing stimuli in real time during OCD assessments. This can allow therapists to measure and support the person in a suitable environment.
However, when used on children with OCD, there are unknown factors at play. More research and case studies are needed to come to a strong conclusion about the benefits of children with OCD using virtual reality.
The Disadvantages of Using Virtual Reality with OCD
The primary issues associated with using virtual reality to treat people with OCD include simulator sickness. This may result in symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, eye strain, and headaches.
These issues have been found to occur in studies where adult populations were a part of studies, so we can assume that the same would occur in children. However, the added concern for children using virtual reality revolves around potential changes and rewiring of their brains, which could have unknown consequences if used at a young age and for extended periods of time.
School of Modern Skills
At the School of Modern Skills, we aim to arm our students with the incredible knowledge that will make them succeed in all walks of life. We have state-of-the-art academic facilities and classes on everything from social studies and art to coding and robotics – something that could be the future of education. We blend technology into everything we do, because with an ever-changing and evolving world, we want to prepare our children for the future.
You can find out more about our school by looking at our medical care, and health and safety. We also have information on parent inquiry procedures, school calendars and hours, transportation, sports, and our vision.
How does virtual reality impact children with OCD? There is limited information regarding studies done with children and virtual reality, as we don’t know what consequences there could be for young, developing brains. However, virtual reality is effective in OCD treatment for adults.
Continue reading:
