Monday, January 24, 2011

Virtual world aims to help soldiers battling PTSD

 Troops who don't want to appear weak, unreliable, or crazy to their commanders or peers often hide their symptoms of post traumatic stress.

"I have seen too many warriors who came home from deployment and silently suffer for years before they get help," said psychologist Dr. Greg Reger.

But this week the military has a new virtual weapon to combat the problems that haunt soldiers long after the battle is over.

The Department of Defense launched a virtual space where avatars attack stigmas attached to post traumatic stress disorder.

The game tells the soldier, "Getting information and help doesn't make you less of a soldier, airman, sailor, or Marine."

The creators hope people suffering hidden war wounds will feel safe anonymously navigating this virtual space, learning about symptoms they're too ashamed to share.

http://draft.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=4490840812499875356

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