Rehabilitation By Way of Video Games

In her article "Virtual Iraq," Sue Halpern discusses a new type of rehabilitation for those suffering from chronic post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD can also be referred to as "battle fatigue" or "shell shock," and it is usually experienced by individuals who have endured particularly traumatizing events such as war and severe accidents. Modeled after Virtual Vietnam in 1997, Virtual Iraq is a computer-simulated psychotherapy treatment created by Albert Rizzo that is designed to help affected individuals cope with their memories, not attempt to change or erase the memories altogether. Rizzo wanted to invent a program that would not illustrate the negative stigma that goes along with seeing a psychiatrist for some individuals. He also believes that he can reach more people by offering technological treatment through computer-simulated programs, or more bluntly stated, through video games. Rizzo states, "The last one hundred years, we've studied psychology in the real world. in the next hundred, we're going to study it in the virtual world." In order to prove Rizzo's success with Virtual Iraq, Halpern discusses the success stories of a couple individuals for whom this futuristic method of therapy has particularly reached out to in a successful manner. A large assumption about society is being made by both Halpern, Rizzo, and the individuals utilizing the Virtual Iraq program, and this assumption is that it'll work for everyone. Paul Rieckhoff, executive director of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America says, "We're a video-game generation. It's what we grew up on. So maybe we'll respond to it." Profuse technology and less human interaction may not be the best step for all individuals to take when coping with a disorder like PTSD. The coming-about of Virtual Iraq is a great contribution to mental health studies, but it is not the end-all, be-all solution when it comes to handling a serious disorder that affects many.