(a) Let’s look at these two images:

Characteristic common to both : ISOLATION

As a result, both individuals will be isolated from the rest of the world for a period of time, one way or another.

(a.1) Next, let’s look at respective dialogues :

User 1 - Physical isolation is prominent because of the nature of the challenging environment.

User 2 - Psychological isolation is prominent due to stress and anxiety of the unknown.

(b) Two Perceptions of Isolation

Two (2) perceptions of isolation exists here because of the Freedom of Choice : “I will” v/s “I have to”.

That is a huge change in the psychology of the brain, which is significant by itself. For example, the Excitement (in the case of User 1) and Shock (in case of User 2) the brain receives.

The shock or the excitement depends on whether you were prepared for the isolation or was it sudden?

Freedom of Choice:

I will - Prepared - Excited - User 1
I have to - Sudden - Shock - User 2

(b.1) User groups within “I will” v/s “I have to” category:

• Set 1: I will
  Astronauts
  Researchers in Antarctica, underwater & other extreme places on Earth

• Set 2: I have to
  Patients with terminal illness
  Palliative care
  Long term care
  Patients undergoing allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT)

(c) Dialogues in Sets - When in the situation:

SET 1:
I will isolate for the next few months to prepare as I have been selected for the mission.

Mindset : Excited
In situation : By Choice

Other points to note:

1. There might be a possibility of them getting paid or getting fame to go to such an extreme environment.

2. In some cases, they do receive professional training for the same.

3. Most importantly, they are ready for that isolation.
   As an example, If you are going on a space mission and are will be in the ISS for 6 months, you are somewhat ready for it mentally. Though you would have to overcome the challenges still that can cause distress & disparities. But at least you have accepted it mentally. Here the isolation is with choice and you know the motives behind it.

They have a clarity in mind where they know there's going to be an end to this story.

SET 2:
I have to isolate myself as I am sick, and my immunity is low.

Mindset : Disturbed, anxious
In situation : Sudden (not by choice)

Other points to note:

1. Financial load because of treatments.

2. Not mentally ready for this isolation.
   This situation was sudden and hence not properly planned or foreseen of. For eg. If you have been diagnosed with terminal illness, like cancer. you are not ready for it. In fact, you were never ready for it. Having to cope with this new feeling is itself a learning process for you. Psychological effects on a being are generally worse here.

They are surrounded by the uncertainty of when this treatment will end and of their future itself.

Here, as days passes by, you know things are not getting any better, but generally worse or stagnant. You are surrounded with those scary, negative emotions and getting plagued by uncertainty.

There is an end but there isn't a surety if they would be coming back to a normal life.

(d) Dialogues in Sets - When coming back:

SET 1:
MINDSET: Positive for a person who comes back from the situation of “I Will”.

Though your body takes time to acclimatize back and there might be minor changes in the schedule. Eventually life will get back to normal and you know that. You are excited to share the journey and the experiences with the world.

SET 2:
MINDSET: Negative for a person who comes back from the situation of “I have to”.

It is mostly negative for a person who exits this terminal illness facility or is there for a prolonged period of time. They are not sure how much time they have left. They still hold onto that fear and the ugly game of uncertainty.

An optimistic/positive outlook on life can extend the lifespan and in some way enhance the quality of life. Whereas a negative mindset can dampen it totally.

Can design help crossing the line of plateau seen in SET 2?

I believe effects of Isolation is more prominent in Healthcare and more attention is needed here.

As can be observed, Healthcare is where you need the most compassion more than anywhere else. You can’t be robotic like you are in these other extreme environments on Earth and beyond. Because for the set 2 user groups, it’s “I had to". They need support and compassion.

“Self-motivation” and “Will power” have been observed to help individuals in those situations.

However, one has to cross that line of plateau and get to the other side where motivation and a positive outlook of life resides.

One needs to evoke the feeling of the “Will to Survive”. I believe that can have a huge impact on the quality of life.

For Set 1, that might be a bit easier than for a person with terminal illness. Due to the fear of unknowns Set 2 has to face. Though for Set 1, their intensity of the feeling of plateau might increase or decrease when they are in the mission v/s when they come back. This will be covered in another blog.

How can design inspire someone who is in those negative emotions? How can design evoke a will to survive? How can design help to cross that line? Design that doesn't make you succumb to the negative emotions. Design that brings the Survival instinct back.

No one really wants to live in a Healthcare facility, but if architects/designers could just take some of the good points that we find in extreme architecture and use them to create an empathetic, yet homely and safe environment, they would not only earn their living, but would also provide a better quality of life to the patients.

Let’s explore the overlaps on this website and what one can learn from the discovery of these overlaps.