Virtual War

Sue Halpern really touches on the effect the war has on the men and women who are out there, putting their lives at risk for our freedom. Of course i hear about PTSD while watching the news, i also have had a friend who had come back from the war and was suffering with the disorder. I never knew her before she was in Iraq, but after she told me her experiences, it all sort of clicked. Halpern goes into detail on a new form of treatment which is a virtual reality. A video game of sorts, it puts the soldier right back into the area they were in while fighting for both their lives as well as ours. She describes all the features that are available for the treatment. Soldiers seem to have a sort of shame of going to see a therapist to help them with dealing with the difficult transition they go through, and this treatment isnt as black and white as sitting and just talking, it is a interactive surreal experience for the soldier to go through. She goes into detail of the different smells, sounds and sights that may be seen on the VR. So far the results for Virtual Iraq have come out to be very positive. Helping people deal with their difficult problems, problems that stop them from leading a normal life again just touches my heart.
Knowing a friend going through this was very difficult, and having to watch what is said and done around her was very hard to deal with. I wanted nothing more than to help her get through her troubles. She had sought help, but she wanted nothing more than to go back. Katie constantly said she belonged there, and her job was not done. Although she had sought out help, and went to a therapist constantly, i can not help but think that possibly this sort of treatment could really help her.