Exploring Psychology

GCE A-level Psychology students were privileged to be visited by Colonel Robert McCarthy ‘Ogre’ from the United States Military Command (USMC) who provided the students with great insight into his experiences in combat, and the long term health issues that he now has to live with as a result. Suffering the effects of an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), he has permanent issues with vision, hearing, pain and also spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid leak syndrome – it is not surprising that there are many cognitive deficits associated with this syndrome. He talked to the students about Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (STSD), pain management, doctor-patient communication and other abnormal effects as a result of his experience. The students were highly appreciative of his willingness to accept their invitation to speak to them.