Computer games were also effective in the treatment of people who underwent automobile accidents. Apparently, something as simple as computer games can serve as a therapy method for people suffering from PTSD. While some might believe that such therapy techniques are not effective, patients were reported to display intense physical responses to them. Still, because therapists were quick to react to such demonstrations, matters were rapidly resolved and patients were exhibiting fewer symptoms as a result. By adapting the Health Belief Model to the needs of PTSD sufferers therapists succeeded in treating them. The patients did not show reluctance in being subjected to such methods of treatment, as they trusted that it would assist their psychological condition (Burke, Degeneffe & Olney). Both the Social Cognitive Theory and the Health Belief Model are effective in treating people suffering from PTST. They differ through the fact that the former is applied indirectly to the individual while the latter involves an approach which is more straightforward. The patient is likely to go through the treatment safer if it is based on the Social Cognitive Theory as he or she is gradually being taken his mind off the trauma.

Traditional methods of treating mental disorders involve the use of medical technology and drugs. This is not one of the best solutions to use when dealing with PTSD patients, because these are among the individuals who display symptoms which are mostly different from those present when referring to more general mental illnesses. Drugs can have diverse effects when they are taken by people suffering from PTSD, as medics have the tendency to prescribe medicines they use in mental affections they believe to be similar. PTSD needs to be treated in particular, as it is unique in its character and because most people having it are likely to believe that it is them who should decide what they can and cannot do while undergoing treatment. This is especially worrying for the reason that a great deal of PTSD sufferers is accustomed to treating each of the disorder's symptoms as if they were perfectly normal. For example, taking prescription drugs meant to ameliorate PTSD symptoms can be accompanied by taking drugs patients are accustomed...

When combined, certain drugs can have devastating effects on the individual, eventually ending up in aggravating the disorder, rather than combating it (Burke, Degeneffe & Olney).
PTSD is a contemporary matter, represents a real threat, and should not be taken lightly by therapists or by the general public. While some of the first individuals to display signs of having the disorder can be traced back to the Vietnam War, there are also more recent cases of PTSD sufferers as a result of going through dramatic events in an armed conflict (Bhagar & Schmetzer, 2007).

A more than alarming number (16.6%) of the soldiers returning home from Operation Iraqi Freedom were diagnosed with PTSD. This makes it obvious that the disorder is extremely common and that the medical world urgently needs to come up with effective psychotherapeutic treatment for these people. Because most therapists have limited experience in dealing with the disorder, they resorted to administrating anti-depressants to PTSD sufferers. This was actually an efficient performance, provided that several individuals diagnosed with PTSD were apparently less affected by the disturbing episodes they went through in consequence of taking anti-depressants (Bhagar & Schmetzer, 2007).

PTSD is presently one of the main concerns of psychotherapists in the military and by using conventional methods such as drugs and less conventional ones like computer games, they are able to effectively combat the disorder's symptoms.

Works cited:

1. Bhagar, H.A. & Schmetzer A.D. (2007). Pharmacotherapy of Combat-Related Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Annals of the American Psychotherapy Association 10.4.

2. Burke, H.S. & Degeneffe, C.E. & Olney, M.F. (2009). A New Disability for Rehabilitation Counselors: Iraq War Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. The Journal of Rehabilitation 75.3.

3. Stein, D.J. & Hollander E. (2002). Anxiety Disorders Comorbid with Depression: Social Anxiety Disorder, Post-Traumatiac Stress Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. London: Martin Dunitz.