HEALTH

Virtual Reality Helps People With Psychosis Think Better

Sat Jul 12 2025

People who have psychotic disorders often struggle with thinking clearly and getting along with others. A new approach called cognitive remediation is helping them improve these skills. This method uses virtual reality (VR) to create realistic situations that challenge the brain. The idea is to make learning more engaging and effective.

VR Beyond Gaming

VR is not just for games. It can also be used to help people practice real-life skills in a safe environment. For example, someone might use VR to:

  • Practice having a conversation
  • Manage stress

This can make a big difference in how well they function in everyday life.

Creating Effective VR Programs

The process of creating these VR programs is important. It involves:

  • Working closely with the people who will use them
  • Ensuring the programs are useful and easy to understand
  • Gathering feedback to make improvements

This way, the VR experiences are tailored to the needs of the users.

Making Learning Fun

One big advantage of VR is that it can make learning more fun and interesting. When people are engaged, they are more likely to:

  • Stick with the program
  • See real benefits

This can lead to better outcomes in their personal and social lives.

The Future of VR in Therapy

There is still more research to be done. But the early results are promising. VR has the potential to be a powerful tool in helping people with psychotic disorders live better lives.

questions

    What if the VR avatars start giving worse advice than your average social media influencer?
    Could VR cognitive remediation lead to a new trend where patients start dating their virtual therapists?
    What are the potential risks and side effects of prolonged use of VR for cognitive remediation in individuals with psychotic disorders?

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