December 15, 2023

#121 Can virtual reality help to treat hoarding disorder? With Dr Hannah Raila

33 minutes

Subscribe to the podcast - https://www.overcomecompulsivehoarding.co.uk/subscribe

In today's episode, I look at the intriguing use of virtual reality in treating hoarding disorder with our guest, Dr. Hannah Raila. Dr. Raila, a psychology researcher at UC Santa Cruz, shares her insights on how virtual reality can help individuals desensitise to distress and practice discarding virtual possessions. She discusses the immersive nature of the VR experience, the potential for the technology to attract more male research participants, and so much more. Join us as we explore the innovative possibilities of virtual reality in the treatment of hoarding disorder.

Novel treatment for hoarding using virtual reality

VR sessions focus on virtual discarding practice

Virtual reality to create distress for phobia treatment

Practice desensitization to discard and declutter effectively

Novel approach due to existing treatments not working for everyone

Study methodology including recruiting participants with hoarding disorder for buried in treasures group and virtual reality sessions

Creating a virtual world of participants' rooms and practicing discarding items in a psychologically immersive environment

New treatments for hoarding needed, virtual reality tested for hoarding, based on successful use in anxiety and PTSD

In-home visits helpful for reducing clutter but often not feasible

In VR therapy, practice discarding virtual objects to desensitise to distress

Virtual exposure therapy principle: Desensitise to distress by simulating real experiences

There is a debate about hoarding disorder prevalence and gender participation in research and treatment. More women seek treatment, but the disorder may be even across genders

The Stanford lab's community presence may influence gender participation

Testing novel intervention with existing treatments, attracting more patients, need for RCT before nationwide administration

Practice desensitisation by rating distress, discarding and tracking feelings to tolerate and declutter home

Preparing new study on contamination fears for OCD at UC Santa Cruz lab

Description of the virtual donation box, recycling, and trash bin in VR sessions

Facilitating repeated rehearsal of discarding virtual possessions for real-life application

Reported improvement in hoarding symptoms due to VR treatment

Time and technology challenges in programming and designing virtual worlds for the intervention

Practical Applications and Takeaways

Monitoring and tracking distress levels when discarding items

Applying desensitisation without a virtual space

Starting with easy-to-discard items and gradually progressing to more difficult ones

Potential of virtual reality to help people move up the ladder of difficulty in discarding

Dr. Raila's plans to continue virtual reality work

Conducting a study on difficulty discarding in the normative range

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By That Hoarder

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December 15, 2023

#121 Can virtual reality help to treat hoarding disorder? With Dr Hannah Raila

33 minutes

Subscribe to the podcast - https://www.overcomecompulsivehoarding.co.uk/subscribe

Novel treatment for hoarding using virtual reality