My child is afraid to go back to school

Parents and guardians currently considering choices when it comes to reopening schools during the height of a deadly epidemic may have an additional challenge: children who are afraid to return to the classroom. Feelings of restlessness are common and anticipated in times of change or transition. This is especially true for children and adolescents returning to school or for children entering kindergarten for the first time. This transition can be painful and challenging for the whole family! Before the first day of school, the nervous child may cry, cling, complain of stomachaches or headaches, be grumpy, become moody or irritable, and become withdrawn. Whenever children attend VR therapy, they first learn coping skills that help them stay calm in stressful situations. Once they are satisfied with these approaches, they move on to virtual reality therapy. They view computer-generated environments and use avatars to experience relationships with other youth and adults.

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1. SYMPTOMS AND CHARACTERISTICS OF SCHOOL PHOBIA

Young people who suffer from school paranoia are often sentimental, insecure, and highly susceptible. They want to be close to their parents and tend to be nervous about separation.

Parents may imagine that fear of school is likely to occur whenever children :

  • Have physical signs just before having to leave for school, such as nausea, upset stomach, diarrhea, vomiting or extreme exhaustion for no particular medical reason
  • Becoming clingy, cranky or showing signs of worry when away from loved ones or parents
  • Possess extreme concern for being alone or illogical fears
  • Recurring nightmares and difficulty sleeping
  • Have signs on school days, but they are okay on weekends and school vacations.
  • Children with school phobia may refuse to go to school for extended periods.

2. CONTEXT OF INNOVATION BASED ON VIRTUAL REALITY (VR)

VR is a high-tech interface that allows users to subject themselves, via a computer generated environment, to a monitored situation. This innovation has been progressively utilized within the mental health treatment plus inside the clinical study. VR aspires to a parallel realism and generates a society that is both practical and mesmerizing. Users experience VR whenever they believe the hypothesis is precisely simulating the real-world experience it is attempting to reinvent. The logic of existence in virtual reality is made possible through the use of expertise such as head-mounted exhibits, synthesized sounds, motion-sensing gloves, and so on. Which allow to awaken many senses and to dynamically probe the virtual setting.

Virtual Reality Therapy: What is it ?

VR treatment develops as a sophisticated solution that allows children to face their fears in a harmless and realistic situation, but in a way that offers them control. Virtual reality therapy can be used in all age groups and can be adapted to the child’s age as they grow. In addition, this therapy can be adapted to contrast the involvement of school phobia situations. For example, one child may be anxious about taking exams, while others fear relationships with their peers. Both children can be helped by VR therapy, which is a blend of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and in vivo exposure treatment, but with the latest technology.

2. HOW DOES VIRTUAL REALITY THERAPY HELP SCHOOL ?

While many children are happy to return to school and be reunited with their peers, for many, a new school term/year is synonymous with distress and academic nervousness. Nevertheless, what if, your child could safely enter their classroom, mingle with their new peers and teachers, and learn operational approaches to handle the worrisome circumstances they fear at school? With VR therapy, this can be done effortlessly. Researchers and therapists say the good news is that virtual reality expertise and usability is rapidly improving through its industrial and gaming applications – so its prospect as a mental health remedy is just beginning.

What happens during Virtual Reality Therapy?

Research has proven that virtual reality therapy essentially “reshapes” the brain to amplify the parts concerned with attention and friendship. This allows for better comprehension and awareness of social cues, better understanding of grip and dialogue, and extra control whenever confronted with actual school problems. In research after the children underwent VR exposure therapy, scans revealed that sections of the brain related to social skills and regions that exchange information in social interactions are enhanced.
This visually refreshing and responsive approach to school phobia offers a dynamic podium that can manufacture an unlimited number of fear circumstances. The pursuit of a child’s precise uncertainties offers evocative life-like circumstances with instant reaction, greatly enriching a child’s ability to manage tension.

Children and the Treatment of Virtual Reality

Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET) involves customized virtual environments that have been carefully developed to support exposure therapy for nervousness states. Through virtual reality, the child is subjected to frightening conditions in a safe, managed environment, rather than taking the child into the real environment or having the youth imagine it. The virtual situation is supervised by a therapist, which guarantees a complete regulation of the subjection to the feared state. TERV allows the therapist to influence situations to suit the individual during a typical therapy period and within the limits of the therapist’s location.

In Brief

Virtual reality-enhanced cognitive-behavioral therapy may be a useful adjunct tool for treating school phobia. The dominant component of this treatment is exposure therapy, which involves helping clients become calmer about the state of affairs that frightens them. VR technology places the client in computer-generated environments in which they experience a classroom and school setting. Initially, clients learn how to cope with the situation and are then put into the VR situation. Clients can practice in this virtual world until they are satisfied with the experience and their responses.
If a complicated treatment tactic is needed, virtual reality therapy is directly pooled with other teaching techniques to provide a comprehensive engagement strategy.

References :

https://stanmed.stanford.edu/2017fall/virtual-reality-helps-calm-kids-anxiety-during-treatment.html

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5421394/

https://highlandspringsclinic.org/blog/4-causes-of-back-to-school-anxiety-and-how-to-help/

https://www.anxietytreatmentnyc.org/specialized-programs.cfm

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Do you need further information or have any specific questions ?

FAQ

Virtual reality (VR) is an innovative technology that enables patients to be exposed to immersive and controlled environments, facilitating the management of numerous psychological and psychiatric disorders. Its use in mental health offers several advantages:
  • Gradual and Controlled Exposure: VR allows patients to confront anxiety-inducing situations in a secure environment, gradually adjusting the intensity of stimuli to promote habituation and emotional regulation.
  • Realistic and Reproducible Environments: Unlike traditional techniques, VR provides immersive scenarios that can be consistently reproduced, ensuring a coherent and effective approach.
  • Increased Patient Engagement: The interactive and immersive nature of VR enhances treatment adherence and motivates patients to continue their therapy.
  • Personalized Treatment: Virtual environments can be adapted to meet the specific needs of each patient.
  • Versatile Applications: VR is used to treat anxiety disorders (phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorders), addictions, mood disorders, and even cognitive remediation.
The use of virtual reality in healthcare is not new! It has been studied and utilized for over 30 years in the medical and psychological fields. As early as the 1990s, researchers began exploring its potential for treating anxiety disorders, particularly phobias and post-traumatic stress disorder. Since then, numerous scientific studies have confirmed its effectiveness in addressing various psychiatric, neurological, and cognitive disorders.
Today, VR is widely integrated into therapeutic and medical practices, with clinically validated protocols. It is used in hospitals, clinics, and psychologists' offices worldwide to provide patients with innovative, effective, and safe treatments.
To use virtual reality, one must immerse themselves in a virtual environment. There are several ways to achieve this.
In the past, the CAVE system (Cave Automatic Virtual Environment), a 3D setup consisting of multiple screen walls, was the primary method used. This system allowed users to be fully immersed in the virtual world, with their movements detected in real-time. However, this technology was expensive and not widely accessible.
Since around 2016, with the introduction of virtual reality headsets like the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive, VR has become much more accessible. These headsets immerse users in virtual reality through an enclosed screen that projects digital images. The user's head movements are tracked, enabling them to look around and interact with the environment as they would in the real world.
Today, VR headsets are wireless and standalone, providing maximum comfort and ease of use without requiring external sensors or cables.
A virtual environment is an immersive digital simulation created through virtual reality. It allows users to navigate in a 3D space that accurately replicates everyday situations or specific contexts.
In mental health, these environments are designed to help individuals gradually face certain situations, manage their emotions, or enhance cognitive skills. By interacting with these virtual spaces, patients can engage in meaningful experiences tailored to their needs.
You need to equip yourself with a virtual reality headset. Our software is compatible with Meta Quest 2, 3, and 3S. 
You will then only need an internet connection. 
Numerous studies confirm that virtual reality is safe to use. However, some restrictions are in place to protect users from potential adverse effects.
For instance, individuals with epilepsy and pregnant women should avoid this type of therapy.
As with any immersive technology, prolonged use may cause visual fatigue or mild discomfort, particularly for those sensitive to motion sickness. Therefore, it is recommended to take regular breaks and adjust session durations according to individual needs.
Virtual environments are designed to be gradual and controlled, minimizing the risk of excessive anxiety. Most users quickly adapt to immersion and experience the benefits of this innovative approach from the first sessions.
Anxiety disorders and phobias can be effectively treated using virtual reality. Patients are gradually and progressively exposed to anxiety-inducing situations in various environments while remaining in a safe space. This process helps develop a sense of habituation, ultimately reducing or even eliminating anxiety over time.
Behavioral and substance addictions can also be addressed through virtual reality. By incorporating synthetic stimuli into the environments that trigger craving responses, patients struggling with addiction can work on their cravings to diminish the urge to consume.
Additionally, multiple environments—such as bars, casinos, and social settings—enable cognitive work on dysfunctional beliefs associated with specific temptation scenarios.
Regarding eating disorders, virtual reality software helps target key etiological factors, such as body dysmorphia, allocentric lock (a tendency to focus on others rather than oneself), and food cravings.
Currently, our TERV (Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy) solutions include multiple software programs designed to address critical psychiatric, psychological, and neuropsychological determinants such as relaxation, cognitive stimulation, behavioral activation, and social skills training.
Reminiscence therapy is also a major therapeutic tool in treating depression. By allowing patients to relive sensations linked to past pleasurable activities (such as sports, driving, or traveling), virtual reality stimulates hypoactive brain areas, enhancing therapeutic success. VR serves as an excellent mediator for reigniting engagement in enjoyable activities.
Moreover, cognitive stimulation for elderly individuals is another area where virtual reality proves beneficial. By leveraging technology to make stimulation activities more engaging and accessible, patients and nursing home residents can improve executive functions and memory through specially designed applications.
Today, virtual reality in mental health care is advancing rapidly. Researchers, clinicians, and developers continue to explore new therapeutic targets to offer innovative and effective treatment solutions in the near future.
VR can be used by all healthcare professionals assisting patients with anxiety, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorders, addictions, or other psychological challenges.
It is particularly beneficial for psychologists, psychiatrists, neuropsychologists, specialized nurses, as well as psychomotor therapists, physiotherapists, dietitians, sophrologists, and hypnotherapists. With a wide range of immersive environments, VR enhances therapeutic approaches and provides innovative tools to improve patient care.
Healthcare providers incorporating virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) expand their range of treatment options. VRET is a well-established therapeutic technique with scientific validation from cognitive-behavioral therapy research.
  • Professional Differentiation: Integrating VR into practice allows therapists to stand out from traditional treatment options.
  • Scientific Validation: VRET is backed by extensive research, reinforcing its credibility as an effective treatment method.
  • Improved Patient Engagement: The interactive nature of VR fosters greater patient involvement in therapy.
  • Time-Saving: VR provides direct access to various exposure environments without needing external logistics.

One of the considerable advantages of virtual reality is that it is effective on a wide spectrum of populations. Existing data from the literature on the subject shows us that it is entirely possible to expose a wide age group to virtual reality, with real therapeutic benefits.

The studies attest, in fact, to excellent feasibility and significant results; particularly in adults, in the treatment of anxiety disorders (including school phobia), autism, addictions, eating disorders, neuropsychological disorders, psychotic disorders and mood disorders.

The results are identical for adolescents with a significant added value concerning therapeutic engagement where virtual reality promotes adolescents' interest in their therapy.

Among elderly subjects, study results encourage the use of virtual reality with the aim of working on cognitive stimulation, on behavioral disorders but also on anxiety.

One of the major advantages of virtual reality is its effectiveness across a broad spectrum of the population. Existing literature on the subject shows that virtual reality can be used with individuals of various age groups, providing significant therapeutic benefits.
Studies confirm excellent feasibility and significant results, particularly among adults in the treatment of anxiety disorders (including school phobia), autism, addictions, eating disorders, neuropsychological disorders, psychotic disorders, and mood disorders.
The results are equally promising for adolescents, with a notable advantage in terms of therapeutic engagement, as virtual reality enhances their interest and participation in treatment.
For older adults, research supports the use of virtual reality to improve cognitive stimulation, behavioral disorders, and anxiety management.
However, people with epilepsy and pregnant individuals are not advised to undergo this type of therapy.
Yes, all our environments are grouped within a single application.
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