"Virtual Iraq"- Abstract

In "Virtual Iraq", Sue Halpern introduces us to a recent psychological therapy for P.T.S.D (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) patients. This recent clinical trial uses "simulation to treat a new generation of traumatized veterans." Virtual Iraq places a traumatized veteran inside a virtual world that is customized toward their most painful memory. "The program uses sights, sounds, even smells to evoke, and subdue, painful memories." The therapist is in charge and has complete control of how little or how much sounds, smells, pictures and noises to add. Albert "Skip" Rizzo, the creator of Virtual Iraq came up with this idea through a video game "Full Spectrum Warrior" and an old experiment called Virtual Vietnam. Unfortunately, Virtual Vietnam did not work that effectively but Virtual Iraq has seen positive feedbacks. Many therapists were afraid that putting their patients in the experience all over again would be harmful and more traumatic. However, that is why Rizzo stated that it is important to start slow. "You have to know when to ramp up the challenges. Someone comes in and all they can do is sit in the Humvee, maybe with the sound of wind, and may have to spend a session or two just in that position." Sue Halpern, who focused on a specific Iraq veteran Travis Boyd, has gone through Virtual Reality treatment and successfully recovered from P.T.S.D. During his last interview with Halpern he said. “You never really get rid of P.T.S.D., but you learn to live with it. I had pictures of my team leader that I couldn’t look at for three years. They’re up on my wall now.” Halpern assumes that people may think of this therapy as frightening and insane therefore she wrote this article to show us of these success stories. Boyd is not the only success story out there. Though According to Rizzo, psychologist Karen Perlman "has a gift, and so far eight of the nine patients she has treated no longer meet the criteria for P.T.S.D." This creation could be the next big step for all veterans with hope to return to a normal lifestyle after war.