Can Virtual Reality help treat anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions?

Currently a team from the University of California, Los Angeles, is studying the use of VR to treat anhedonia, a symptom of depression that creates an inability to experience pleasure or interest in a range of activities. The team is focused on providing patients with positive experiences, such as those produced by VR, and meditation in order to treat anhedonia and increase well-being. According to a study published earlier this year in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, people who participated in the positive experience treatment reported lower levels of depression, anxiety and stress than those who participated in standard treatment, which focuses on addressing negative symptoms.