A pioneering British company, Oxford VR, has developed a virtual reality system designed to help millions worldwide overcome social anxiety disorder by building confidence in real-world scenarios.
As described by anxiete.fr, social anxiety involves feelings of apprehension, inner tension, and outward embarrassment triggered by others' scrutiny. Everyday situations like exams (diplomas, driving tests) or being the center of attention can provoke it, leaving individuals feeling judged and anticipating negative outcomes.
This debilitating condition affects daily life for millions globally. In France alone, 22.5% of the population (2018 data) experienced it to varying degrees.
A March 10, 2020, VentureBeat article highlights an innovative virtual reality therapy tested in the UK, US, and China. Patients attend weekly 30-minute automated sessions guided by a virtual coach, seamlessly integrating into treatment plans.
Users immerse themselves in virtual environments to practice common daily tasks like ordering at a bar, entering a store, or taking a bus—situations that terrify those with social anxiety but seem routine to others.
Led by Daniel Freeman, Professor of Clinical Psychology in Psychiatry at the University of Oxford, this program has evolved over 20 years under Oxford VR. It garners support from the National Health Service and has raised over €10 million in funding.
In 2018, another VR solution, the Heal-ium helmet, emerged to combat anxiety by analyzing brain electrical activity via an EEG-equipped headband.
Watch the Oxford VR project video for a closer look:
