System and method for enabling a user to overcome depression

Abstract

A method and system are provided for enabling a user to overcome depression. The method includes enabling the user to engage in a first activity and a second activity. The two activities are performed in virtual environment. The first activity is directed to rewire a first defective wiring of the brain. The first defective wiring results in an individual failing to disengage from negative self referential thoughts. The second activity is directed to rewire a second defective wiring of the brain. The second defective wiring results in negative memories being stronger than positive memories and the number of negative memories outweighing the number of positive memories. The symptom of the first and the second defective wirings is depression.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for enabling a user to overcome depression, the system comprising an activity module configured to:
 enable the user to engage in at least a first activity in a virtual environment, wherein the first activity is directed to rewire a first defective wiring of the brain, wherein the first defective wiring results in an individual failing to disengage from negative self referential thoughts;   enable the user to engage in at least a second activity in a virtual environment, wherein the second activity is directed to rewire a second defective wiring of the brain, wherein the second defective wiring results in negative memories being stronger than positive memories and the number of negative memories outweighing the number of positive memories; and   provide automated instructions to the user to engage in at least one activity, wherein the one activity is performed in a real world environment, wherein the activity is directed to rewire the first and the second defective wiring of the brain.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the activities in the virtual environment are digital games. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the activity module is further configured to provide the automated instructions to engage in the activity directed to rewire the first defective wiring and the second defective wiring, to be performed in the real world environment, after the user has at least participated in at least one of the first activity and the second activity. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the activity module is further configured to enable the user to engage in the second activity, after the user has at least participated in the first activity. 
     
     
         5 . A method for enabling a user to overcome depression, the method comprising:
 enabling the user to engage in at least a first activity in a virtual environment, wherein the first activity is directed to rewire a first defective wiring of the brain, wherein the first defective wiring results in an individual failing to disengage from negative self referential thoughts; and   enabling the user to engage in at least a second activity in the virtual environment, wherein the second activity is directed to rewire a second defective wiring of the brain, wherein the second defective wiring results in negative memories being stronger than positive memories and the number of negative memories outweighing the number of positive memories, wherein symptom of the first and the second defective wirings is depression.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising providing automated instructions to the user to engage in at least one activity, wherein the one activity is performed in a real world environment, wherein the activity is directed to rewire the first and the second defective wirings of the brain. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the automated instructions to engage in the activity directed to rewire the first and the second defective wirings, to be performed in the real world environment, is provided after the user has at least participated in at least one of the first activity and the second activity. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the automated instructions to engage in the activity directed to rewire the first and the second defective wirings, to be performed in the real world environment, is provided before the user has participated in at least one of the first activity and the second activity. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the user is enabled to engage in the second activity, after the user has at least participated in the first activity. 
     
     
         10 . A system for enabling a user to overcome depression, the system comprising an activity module configured to:
 enable the user to engage in at least a first activity in a virtual environment, wherein the first activity is directed to rewire a first defective wiring of the brain, wherein the first defective wiring results in an individual failing to disengage from negative self referential thoughts; and   enable the user to engage in at least a second activity in a virtual environment, wherein the second activity is directed to rewire a second defective wiring of the brain, wherein the second defective wiring results in negative memories being stronger than positive memories and the number of negative memories outweighing the number of positive memories, wherein symptom of the first and the second defective wirings is depression.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein,
 the first activity is directed to rewire the first defective wiring to increase ability to disengage from negative self referential thoughts and engage in positive self referential thoughts; and   the second activity is directed to rewire the second defective wiring to strengthen and increase the number of positive memories.