Understanding your stress

It is not always easy to understand and recognize stress in a situation. It is sometimes difficult to know to which element this anxiety refers. And yet it is necessary to reduce this anxiety, its symptoms and find serenity in everyday life..

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We use Artificial Intelligence both through a coach named Camille and through virtual characters within the scenes. Camille provides support and acts as a trusted companion to whom you can share your concerns without fear of judgment. On the other hand, the virtual characters faithfully replicate real-life social behaviors. You will be able to interact with them in various everyday contexts, such as a party, a date, a job interview, or a spontaneous conversation on the street. Learn more

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1. STRESS IS NORMAL !

Anxiety is a normal reaction. It is an instinctive reaction of survival, and it allowed to save man from different predators. Today, even if we are no longer chased by mammoths or other prehistoric species, stress allows us to flee a danger (aggressor in the street) or to give us courage to fight it. It can therefore be positive. During an important exam, stress sometimes helps us to mobilize a particularly important energy. 

In the right dosage, stress is therefore normal and positive. On the other hand, when it is too intense or too long, stress can have harmful consequences in the long term, whether physical or psychological.

2. THE PHASES OF STRESS

Stress is defined in 3 consecutive phases : Alarm, resistance and exhaustion.

The alarm phase

The alarm (or alert) phase is the first stage of anxiety. It occurs as soon as the body feels in danger in a situation, with a significant increase in adrenaline. It is at this point that the body prepares either to fight the danger or to flee from it. We must survive at all costs.

Then, in order to mobilize all the energy and organs to face the situation, adrenaline, noradrenaline and other hormones related to stress increase the heart rate, the body temperature, the tension… The body is no longer ready for reflection, but prepares for action.

The resistance phase

The body prepares itself to face (or flee) the situation, and needs its body to follow it in order to best manage it and save its skin. The hormones that bring sugar into the body act to give the body what it needs to free itself from the environment. The effects of the other hormones released in the alert phase intensify in order to sustain the energy to fight the situation.

The exhaustion phase

The resistance phase lasts and the body begins to be exhausted. Our body can no longer manage itself, and certain physical or psychological disorders may appear. This is when chronic stress appears.

3. UNDERSTANDING THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF STRESS

Anxiety manifests itself differently in all people. If we know what kind of stress we have, it is always easier to work on the physical sensations, the associated thoughts and the emotions that we may feel. This is why it is essential to understand your stress. To do this, it is important to recognize what type of stress we feel: Is it acute stress or chronic stress and what are the differences between the two ?

Acute stress

Acute stress is an intense stress that we feel at a specific time, caused by a specific event. This event can be stressful either because the event is new, threatening, unpredictable or because you are not in control (CINE method). 

Since this anxiety is temporary, so are the symptoms. These symptoms may include difficulty breathing, stomach aches, dizziness, sweating, shaking, etc. Once the situation is over (or avoided), these symptoms disappear.

Chronic stress

Chronic stress is linked to repeated or particularly long exposure to stressful situations. This stress is very energy consuming and has harmful consequences for health. Indeed, this chronic anxiety decreases the immune system’s defenses, increases fatigue, and increases the risk of certain pathologies (cardiovascular diseases, depression, sometimes even suicidal thoughts…). 

To be considered chronic, this stress must be present for several months or years

4. DEFINE THE ORIGIN OF YOUR ANXIETY

In order to manage and understand stress, it is important to understand and identify the different types of existing stress in order to reduce them. For this purpose, there is a method, which is called the CINE method. CINE is an acronym for the possible sources of stress that are “Weak Control”, “Unpredictability”, “Novelty” and “Threatened Ego”. 

In order to understand your anxiety and recognize it, always ask yourself the following questions : 

  • Do I have control over the situation? 
  • Is this situation unpredictable?
  • Is the situation new for me? 
  • Is there a threat to my ego? 


To best answer these questions, it is important to understand each of these types.

Low control

You are in a situation where you have little or no control over it. 

For example, if your train is delayed due to an accident on the track when you absolutely had to be at an important meeting, this may cause you anxiety.

Unpredictability

You can’t figure out how a situation is going to turn out, or if something unpredictable is going to happen.
For example, for your birthday party, you invite two people who don’t always get along very well. You are afraid of their behavior at your party, and you stress about it.

New

You experience a new situation, a context totally unknown to you. 
You are expecting a baby, but it is your first. This causes you anxiety: will you be able to meet his needs? Will you understand him? Will he love you, etc  ?

Threatened ego

You feel that some of your values, skills, abilities, knowledge.

You take the driver’s license exam and take one last hour before the final test. Your instructor tells you that you are not ready after all and that you may fail your driver’s license..

It is important not to let stress take over our body, our emotions, our feelings and our life. Taking the time to understand our stress allows us to limit the anxiety that is linked to it.

If your stress generates anxiety attacks, there are solutions to manage them.

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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