This is an email I recieved from a previous questioner who I spoke with in the past regarding PTSD who needed someone to talk to
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Hi there.
I have a spouse whos currently deployed in Iraq.
The 3rd major concern behind death and injury, seems tobe PSTD for those that return home.
Ive heard theres Virtual Reality desensitizing therapy thats being done that puts soldiers in realistic scenarios within a controlled environment, in order to evenutally desensitive them and help them to cope with their experiences and understand they are now safe.
It made me think of one step further.
What if groups of soldiers were put within a more realistic video, like an IMAX theatre.
Where the visuals arent as video game-ish looking as they virtual reality appeared.
But to overwhelm their senses to touch upon those experiences in a way that only an IMAX scenario could.
Then after youve opened them up
HAVE THE SOLDIERS HELP eachother...
by discussing their feelings amongst their peers
2007-11-26 08:50:35 · 9 answers · asked by writersbIock2006 5 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
Its one thing to talk to a psychiatrist, but its another sharing your experiences with fellow brothers and sisters in arms,
who you know have gone through what you have
and to whom you feel bonded to already.
I was just hoping this could be explored as it seems to make complete sense to me, and could help many soldiers.
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I think its a great idea.
What do you think?
2007-11-26 08:51:11 · update #1
i think it is interesting - worth getting a qualified person to do analysis and an experiment..
2007-11-26 08:54:36 · answer #1 · answered by nickipettis 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It won't work for everyone. Since with PTSD treatment one size does not fit all because each serviceperson will have had his/her own unique experiences even though they might be similar to those of his/her buddies. The important thing is the peer-to-peer sharing, so whatever can be reasoably done to make this happen - it doesn't just happen out of the blue - is worth trying. It would be best to have the whole thing "supervised" by a mental health specialist just to keep things focused. It is tragic that so many of our troops are returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with mental and emotional difficulties. This is, alas, part of the cost of war; but nobody wants to talk about it.
2007-11-26 09:04:14 · answer #2 · answered by Richard B 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I feel that you have the best intentions, but therapy is generally a private matter between client & therapist. All it would take is one soldier to become agitated or aggressive during the exercise, & this may incite the entire group.
I feel that your idea could be beneficial after the client has shown his/her stability & willingness to share their personal experiences with the group. Then, as you say, "have the soldiers help one another." Group therapy has been shown to be therapeutic when members can empathize with the individuals who have shared similar feelings & experiences, & would allow them to feel safe once in a protected environment.
Thanks for your idea.
Phyllis G.
2007-11-26 09:02:01 · answer #3 · answered by Phyllis G 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think it's an interesting idea, but probably best if a professional is also on hand to handle any issues beyond what the others can handle. A group of people with PTSD in one room may not be able to help each other if they're all experiencing issues with the "movie".
2007-11-26 08:55:36 · answer #4 · answered by kc_brig 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
i think that's a great idea. my best friend is nearing his 3rd deployment and he bottles it all up. afraid to tell his girlfriend or mom about what he went through. he shared some with me but i know there is some stuff he just cant say. i think the best idea is the groups of soldiers sharing together imax or not they all have similar experiences and would feel more comfortable opening up to one another.
2007-11-26 08:56:51 · answer #5 · answered by cajunbaby 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
This is ridiculous. Some of the things you see in war, you can never forget or be "desensitized" to. How about spending time thinking of ways to avoid wars?
2007-11-26 08:59:01 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I have PTSD and I have to say, talking about what happened does not help me, so I'm damn sure that seeing this **** again wouldn't be much better, but for someone else, maybe it will, so for them go for it
2007-11-26 08:55:38 · answer #7 · answered by long beard 2 · 2⤊ 2⤋
If he thinks it would help him as a solidier, then it probably is a good idea. But it won't be the best for everybody.
2007-11-26 08:53:42 · answer #8 · answered by antidestablishmentarianismdude 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋
It does sound like a good idea.
2007-11-26 08:54:18 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋