# Phobia-Fighting VR Apps oVRcome is a Virtual Reality Applicaton That Helps People Overcome Fears By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2022-07-15 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ovrcome References: [designtaxi](https://designtaxi.com/news/419488/This-VR-Phone-App-Is-Helping-People-Overcome-Their-Phobias/) & [otago.ac.nz](https://www.otago.ac.nz/news/news/releases/otago228744.html?utm_source=DesignTAXI&utm_medium=DesignTAXI&utm_term=DesignTAXI&utm_content=DesignTAXI&utm_campaign=DesignTAXI)  Virtual reality can be put to work for many different purposes and oVRcome is a [smartphone app](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/brainbody-therapy) that helps people make the most of this technology to overcome their fears. This app provides a sense of immersion with virtual reality and it uses [exposure therapy](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/somatic-therapy) to place sufferers in a safe environment in the presence of their fear, without the direct danger of it. With a VR headset, users may choose to build their tolerance for walking close to a dog, being surrounded by spiders or standing high up on a cliff. As part of a randomized trial of 129 people conducted by the app’s New Zealand developers and researchers at the [University of Otago](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/superhero-therapy), Christchurch confirmed that oVRcome treats fears of flying, needles, heights, dogs and spiders. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.6/10 - Popularity: 20% | Activity: 45% | Freshness: 12% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Health](https://www.trendhunter.com/health) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Phobia-fighting VR Apps:** The development of customized VR apps could revolutionize exposure therapy for individuals with anxiety disorders. - **Exposure Therapy Through Virtual Reality:** Virtual reality technology could drastically reduce the costs and risks associated with exposure therapy, which is a key component of treating anxiety disorders. - **VR for Mental Health:** Virtual reality has the potential to transform the field of mental health by providing innovative and accessible treatment options for individuals with anxiety and other mental health disorders. ### Where This Applies - **Mental Health:** The mental health industry could integrate virtual reality technology to provide innovative treatment options and improve the overall efficacy of traditional treatment methods. - **VR Technology:** Virtual reality technology is increasingly being utilized in a variety of industries, including mental health, to improve productivity, communication, and engagement. - **App Development:** The development of customized VR apps presents new opportunities for app developers to create innovative and impactful products that can improve people's lives. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Gamified VR Therapy Solutions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/behavr.md) - [AI-Enhanced Virtual Reality Therapies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/virtual-reality-therapy.md) - [Back Pain-Focused VR Therapy](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/appliedvr.md) - [VR-Powered Therapeutic Treatments](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vrpowered-therapeutic-treatments.md) - [VR-Powered Therapy Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rey-1.md) - [Mobile VR Pain Management Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/flowly.md) - [VR-Based Pain Solutions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smileyscope.md) - [Virtual Mental Health Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/help-club.md) - [AI Noise Reduction Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/unfear-by-samsung.md)