User Research, Product Design, 3D Modelling
Pankaj Upadhyay, Guide
Semester Thesis Project
IIT Guwahati
Jan 2020 - May 2020
In this Semester Thesis Project, the goal was to explore and conceptualize interventions for people undergoing Anxiety Attacks. It involved talking to counsellors, psychologists, and people who have gone through anxiety attacks. The aim of the project was to create a stop-gap solution that would get instant help to the user.
The outcome was a tangible egg-shaped ball, which gives visual cues to the person using it. The cues will help the person match their breathing patterns and help them take back the control of their system.
An anxiety attack usually involves a fear of some specific occurrence or a problem that could happen. Symptoms include intense worrying, restlessness, losing touch with reality and possibly increase in heart rate. The taboo and lack of proper information regarding mental health has pushed the topic away rather than understanding it and treating it. Although people are beginning to talk about it, this topic is still a long way from being socially accepted in a country like India.
Although they do not have any long term physical or mental damage, during that period the person feels a great sense of impending doom. Hence the important thing is for the person to get through those 15-30 mins. The objective of this project was to design something that will give maximum comfort to the user during those critical minutes.
Anxiety attacks are not same as Panic attacks. It is less severe thanpanic attacks and cannot be diagnosed.After talking to 7-8 people, I could identify a few symptoms thatpeople undergo.
Every person has a different way of coping with these attacks. But the common underlying theme is that they need people or things they trust around them, which isn’t the case most of the times. Expressing their feelings helps them release that energy and get back to a calmer state. Talking to empathetic people, writing down notes, or someone to hold were the most common responses.
I talked to one of the counselors at IITG and she gave me some valuable inputs. She emphasized on the point that understanding that the person should understand that this moment will pass. She also suggested that tangible objects will be more effective.
Getting your breath under control will help the person regain control over their body faster. Visualizing or thinking about a safe space is also an effective measure. Focusing your attention on one thing will help in eliminating external stimuli.
The approach I took was to make the person focus on their senses and try to control them which would calm the person. My main objective was to get the person through the period of attack and give them support and comfort during that period. I decided to not consider Panic Attacks because they are more erratic and can occur without a warning. In Anxiety Attack the person can be prepared for an oncoming breakdown and be equipped with the product. During distress the user will not be able to operate complex mechanisms, hence the product should be simple and easy to use.
The following keywords were the north star of the entire project. Since this is uncharted territory I did not have a base product that I could base my designs off. I tried to focus on giving stimulus to our senses to control the attack.
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