War is not kind to one's mentality, as many know -- veterans commonly suffer from a particular kind of post-traumatic stress disorder, which can cause them to panic and suffer extreme stress under situations which remind them of war, for example.
Certainly not an easy thing to alleviate, but scientists are making progress thanks to a video game mod based on Pandemic's Full Spectrium Warrior. Entitled Virtual Iraq, it allows the therapist in question to better work with the patient, as they know what's presented to them is a simulation. Going into it with that knowledge, the patient can be slowly comfortable with things that remind them of war -- a certain smell or sound, for example -- in day to day life, or even brought to the point where they no longer do.
The mod itself uses virtual reality goggles and a chair which simulates movement. A two-year open clinical trial of 20 participants funded by the Office of Naval Research and other similar events around the USA have all showed positive results, which will yield more committment from the scientific community. The US Air Force will be conducting its own study next year, for which it is now preparing.
This form of therapy isn't intended to be a replacement for traditional therapy, though; doctors agree it depends on the individual, but most times it likely works best as an enhancement to complement other methods.
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