# Anticipation and prevention of real risks of virtual environments in psychiatry

## TL;DR

This paper explores the risks of virtual environments for psychiatric patients and suggests strategies to ensure safe use.

## Contribution

It introduces participatory design strategies to mitigate specific psychopathological risks in virtual reality for psychiatry.

## Key findings

- Psychiatric patients are particularly vulnerable to virtual exposure risks.
- Virtual embodiment and social interaction can trigger psychopathological symptoms.
- Participatory design can help create safer virtual environments for mental health.

## Abstract

Extended reality (=XR) provides promising opportunities for psychiatry in the future. However, psychiatric patients appear to be particularly vulnerable to virtual exposure. With a focus on virtual embodiment and virtual social interaction, we therefore, 1. describe the specific risks of virtual exposures, 2. discuss them in relation to specific psychopathological symptoms and 3. outline initial strategies that enable safe exposure with a strong emphasis on participatory designs.