Dr. Moshe Bar discusses gamifying Facilitating Thought Progression (FTP) to reshape thought patterns for depression and anxiety. They explore how gaming can complement therapy and medication. The podcast also delves into innovative mental health treatments, the benefits of therapeutic games in the Mood Bloom app, understanding thought patterns in mood disorders, and transforming an experiment into a thought-expanding game.
Depression's thought patterns can be reshaped through interactive gaming.
Hedonia's app, Mood Bloom, offers innovative mental health solutions.
Cognitive flexibility is promoted by Hedonia's game, To Belong, enhancing mental adaptability.
Deep dives
Hedonia's Mission: Promoting Mental Health Accessibility
Hedonia, a company co-founded by cognitive neuroscientist Professor Mosha Barr, focuses on making mental health tools accessible to individuals struggling with depression and anxiety. The company aims to offer alternatives to traditional treatments for those facing challenges with insurance coverage and transportation. By developing the mobile app Moodbloom, Hedonia provides innovative solutions to broaden mental health treatment options.
Innovative Approach: Combining Gaming with Mental Health Treatment
Professor Barr discusses the evolution of Hedonia's approach, highlighting the intersection of technology and mental health, particularly focusing on gamification. The incorporation of gaming elements in mental health treatments, such as the FTP concept, aims to engage users through interactive and therapeutic gameplay, offering a novel method to address mood disorders.
Flexibility and Cognitive Diversity for Mental Well-Being
To Belong, one of the games developed by Hedonia, promotes cognitive flexibility by challenging traditional categorization boundaries. By encouraging individuals to accept and expect unconventional connections between elements, the game aims to enhance cognitive adaptability and openness, fostering mental well-being through increased mental agility and adaptability.
Long-Term Mental Health Strategies and Multi-factorial Approaches
Highlighting the importance of gradual progress in mental health treatment, the podcast emphasizes the cumulative benefits of integrating various strategies and interventions. Acknowledging that mood bloom and FTP are just one aspect of a comprehensive mental health toolkit, the discussion underscores the significance of multi-factorial approaches in achieving long-term mental well-being.
Future Vision: Expansion and Innovation in Mental Health Gaming
Professor Barr shares insights into Hedonia's future plans, highlighting the ongoing development of new games that align with the principles of FTP. The company's vision includes expanding the library of therapeutic games to provide diverse and engaging mental health solutions, ensuring continual innovation and evolution in the realm of mental health gaming.
Thought patterns don't define you, and they're not fixed. The thing about depression is it traps you in narrow, repetitive thinking.
Your thinking is actually quite malleable. But reshaping your thoughts, often takes a lot more than just trying to think differently.
I'm talking with Dr. Moshe Bar of Hedonia about how they've been able to gamify Facilitating Thought Progression (FTP) in order to rewrite thought patterns.
I'm all-in on alternative, science-based methods for managing depression and anxiety. We explore how gaming can reshape cognitive patterns, improve mood, and complement both therapy and medication.
I have partnered with Hedonia, and both believe in, and regularly use their app-based game for depression and anxiety, Mood Bloom.