Depression manifests itself as a feeling of exhaustion, lack of strength and desire to do things. Symptoms of depression make it difficult to complete daily tasks, which affects functioning and quality of life. Limited activity leads to negative consequences and worsens the disorder. Stimulating engagement is key to achieving mental improvement. And for people in rehabilitation with depression, activation is also essential for recovery.
Anhedonia, apathy and lowered mood
One of the characteristic symptoms of depression is anhedonia, which means the inability to feel pleasure even from activities that previously caused joy and satisfaction. When nothing pleases, there is a decrease in motivation and inhibition in seeking out situations that might have previously been a source of satisfaction. Anhedonia is the reason why depressed people lose interest in favorite activities. The patient does not feel the need to start an activity because he or she will not get the emotional reward associated with it. Anhedonia is a disruption in the brain’s reward system and a decrease in dopaminergic activity. Without natural reinforcement, meaning the feeling of pleasure, the life drive is inhibited. Depressed individuals may experience apathy, which manifests as reduced initiative, decreased interest and emotional expression. Apathy defined as a state of reduced motivation, lack of adequate reactivity to stimuli. In people with depression, the focus on stimuli with negative tones prevails, it is difficult to evoke an emotional response to positive events. The presence of apathy can be seen as reduced activity compared to the person’s previous functioning. A depressed person does not make an effort, is not interested in acquiring new skills, reduces concern for his own affairs. He does not show spontaneity, activity, perseverance in the activities he has started, does not show curiosity about the environment, events and other people. Apathy defined as a state of reduced motivation, lack of adequate reactivity to stimuli. In people with depression, the focus on stimuli with a negative tinge prevails, it is difficult to evoke an emotional response to positive events. The presence of apathy can be seen as reduced activity compared to the person’s previous functioning. A depressed person does not make an effort, is not interested in acquiring new skills, reduces concern for his own affairs. He does not show spontaneity, activity, persistence in the activities he has started, does not show curiosity about the environment, events and other people. Apathy is associated with a reduction in the ability to self-activate. A person with the symptom of apathy is passive, avoids action without external stimulation. This causes a number of problems in life, blocks independence. A persistent depressed mood reduces the desire to engage in activity. A lowered emotional state dominated by despondency, feelings of sadness, discouragement and a sense of hopelessness is a negative experience that seriously affects daily functioning. Long-term depressed mood is associated with emotional distress and can increase the risk of suicidal thoughts.

Reduced drive, motivation and energy levels
Reduced psychomotor drive and low motivation to act are quite typical of depressive mood disorders. Deficits in drive and motivation can be observed even in the mild form of depression – dysthymia. Depression manifests itself as a slowdown in action. A depressed person has low energy levels and does not seek effort, which is the result of an imbalance of neurotransmitters. Lack of strength and persistent depressed mood make even a little activity cause fatigue. Persistent inactivity feeds a low sense of agency. Inactivity makes the patient worse. To break the vicious cycle and overcome depression, therapy must be initiated to level the mood and trigger activity.

Depression activation with VR
Depression often occurs with chronic diseases that require long-term rehabilitation. In the context of improving patients with comorbid depression, there are difficulties to overcome due to the symptoms of this disorder. The aforementioned anhedonia, apathy, reduced drive and motivation, as well as depressed mood, low self-esteem, feelings of lack of energy and rapid fatigue are not conducive to improving the patient’s performance. Depression leads to withdrawal, while rehabilitation imposes the need for action and commitment to the process. The friction that occurs between the demands of improvement and the depressed patient’s psychological state makes rehabilitation a drag. The rehabilitator’s work with a depressed person is not easy, and lack of cooperation can cause emotional strain. Symptoms of depression make it difficult to conduct rehabilitation, which brings the need to include psychological support in the process. Activation with the VR TierOne therapeutic device is all about activating the patient’s latent resources and resurrecting motivation to participate in the rehabilitation process. Multisensory Virtual Reality (VR) therapy engages, progressively encourages and supports the patient with depression to take action for their health. By experiencing the change in perspective made possible by VR, appropriate metaphorical communication, and rewards for completing tasks in a supportive virtual world, the therapy improves mood, increases a sense of empowerment and improves engagement in rehabilitation. The opening to health-promoting activity occurs step by step, in a gentle way in the immersive environment of the virtual Rebirth Garden. Thanks to TierOne’s carefully designed VR interaction, symptoms of depression are reduced, mood is improved, and work on fitness becomes possible and effective. You can read more extensively about the VR TierOne therapeutic method here.