Implemented in 1992 to accomodate soldiers complaining of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, the Army's Relaxing Environmental Visualization (REV) program proved effective at reducing the horrible flashbacks and other symptoms.
REV was expanded in 2006 to include normal solidiers wishing the treatment.
Participants lie down on padded mats and follow the instructions presented them on prerecorded tapes. After breathing and muscle relaxing exercises, the tapes then present peaceful imagery to concentrate upon.
"Subjects enter a hypnotic state," says Stanford psychologist and hypnotic expert Mindy Sol. "The effect can be quite powerful, but there can also be negative consequences."
One soldier thought to record a session and was dumbfounded by what he discovered. "Everything seems normal until the end of the tape," said the private. "Then the narrator begins describing killing in such a positive manner, it's brainwashing!"
Army officials refused to comment other than to say their program has helped thousands of shell-shocked troops.
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