A computer scientist at the University of Southern California and the U.S. military are working together on an experimental project that uses videogames to help war veterans cope with post-traumatic stress syndrome. Looking to deal with the problem immediately, Jarrell Pair of USC has been using Full Spectrum Warrior to help veterans from the War in Iraq who are showing signs of PTSD.

"The only other alternative would be to bring these people back to Iraq and try to expose them to the stimuli that created the problem," Pair said. "Here you can control everything that happens in that simulated world." Through the therapy, psychologists gain an understanding of which events - such as specific sounds - set off flashbacks. "When you identify them, you can have the patient recognise that those are cues or stressors," explained Dr Mark Wiederhold, president of the Virtual Reality Medical Center. The next step is to help veterans learn to overcome their fears by realising the triggers won't hurt them.