What's News in Science-Depression in Space

Currently Nasa is developing a computer program called "The Virtual Space Station" that will help astronauts deal with depression in space. Depression is a very common symptom for astronauts due to long missions, isolation, and altered sleep cycles. Other issues they often have are interpersonal conflict, anxiety, and stress. Astronauts cant simply speak to a psychiatrist due to limited time with communication links to Earth.

The Virtual Space Station itself is very interactive with video of real psychiatrists. The method it uses to relieve stress and help deal with depression is called the problem solving method. It is a multi-step method that helps the user figure out their problems one by one and deal with them individually. It is meant to isolate and simplify problems. For example one thing the program might have you do is physically list out all your problems or tasks and figure out the best approach for each one in an organized manner.

This program is going to help astronauts a great deal during long missions and make it easier for people to deal with stress. However, the plans for the program are not only for astronauts and space. The developers of the program, Dr. Jay Buckley and Dr. James Cartrine, have plans to implement it on Earth for everyday people. This would be a great psychiatric advancement and bring psychiatric help to people who don't have the time and or the money to see a real psychiatrist. Soon psychiatric help will be only a mouse click away.

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