Combat Stress Reaction and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (Coursework Sample)

Combat Stress Reaction and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
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Combat Stress Reaction (CSR)
Combat Stress Reaction refers to the expected and predictable reaction experienced by soldiers after combat experiences. CSR is not an illness and it can be experienced by any individual who has been through combat. This may happen regardless of whether they are in peaceful conditions or during wartimes. After being exposed to hostile living conditions such as a poor diet, extreme weather conditions, unhygienic environments and psychological problems such as the constant threat of improvised explosive devices, death of colleagues and sniper shots; soldiers are expected to show a number of cognitive, emotional, behavioral and physical responses. All of these response emanate from the effect of the war on the mind of the soldier.It is the brain’s way of adjusting to life after combat. The responses are therefore psychologically instigated. Every individual reacts differently to the combat experience. Some of the symptoms of CSR may include the following:
In their though system, the soldiers may have problems concentrating with the tasks at hand. Individuals suffering from CSR may also have memory problems. They may not also be able to make decisions or process information promptly.Other symptoms of CSR may also include nightmares, insomnia and hallucinations or even delusions. The soldiers may also experience bouts of confusion, often finding it difficult to distinguish between what is real and what is not. They may also get flashbacks of significant events that happened during the combat period.
Behavior-wise, individuals who have endured combat may they may experience hyperstartleness in which case they exhibit an exaggerated response to a surprising experience such as a loud noise or being crept on by another person. Additionally, they may experience hypervigilance meaning that they are super alert even when they do not need to. The soldiers may also have anger outbursts and may even cry at times. Additionally, such individuals may also have restless periods of time within which they are uncomfortable and nothing seems to pacify them. In other instances, a soldier who has experienced combat first hand may be found to stare blankly into space at times. Changes in the individual’s diet may also be observed. They may not prefer some of the foods they liked before war while at the same time they may pick up new likings. Another significant behavioral symptom of CSR is an increase in risky behaviors such as a heightened level of drinking, smoking, use of drugs or even speeding while driving. Individuals who have gone through combat may also tend to keep to themselves, avoiding people they previously had close relationships with.
Emotionally, the individuals may have extreme fear or excessive anxiety when in certain environments and conditions. Most of the soldiers also report experiencing overwhelming bouts of sadness in which they experience despair and they may even fall into depression. They may also experience a reduced zeal towards life. They are numb to the on goings around them. Additionally, individuals suffering from CSR may become irritable and extremely angry even in subtle situations that do not need such outbursts. Feelings of being overwhelmed and being in isolated from the rest of the world are also reported in individuals suffering from CSR. This reaction may also lead to a destruction of valuable relationships because it causes individuals who have experienced combat to lose confidence and trust in others.
Physically, people undergoing CSR may have trouble sleeping even in odd hours of the night. They may also feel overly exhausted even when they have not engaged in any physically draining activity. They have more problematic health lives and may experience cold sweats accompanied by increased heart beats from time to time. Moreover, the soldiers may have eating and digestion problems and they may experience diarrhea, frequent passing of urine and a sense of nausea. Some of the soldiers who have gone through combat may also experience numbness, tingling and a loss of functionality in body parts. They may also have headaches and vision problems.
Some of these symptoms may be evident after only a short time following a combat experience. However, others may take a longer time to manifest themselves. It is therefore important for soldiers to go through evaluation and counselling sessions to debrief so as to minimize the effects of these symptoms on their lives. However, combat stress usually wears off after several weeks or months. If does not, it might transpire into something more serious such as alcoholism, PTSD or even depression. Nonetheless, CSR is not considered to be a medical problem (Solomon, 2013).
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a psychological disorder that impairs the normal functioning of the body. Unlike the Combat Stress Reaction that is considered to be a normal reaction to traumatic circumstances, PTSD is a medical problem that requires treatment. After combat, soldiers may exhibit PTSD symptoms within three months of the combat experience. Others may exhibit these symptoms years after going through combat. For an individual to be said to be suffering from PTSD, the person must exhibit the symptoms associated with it for a period of more than one month. PTSD therefore differs from CSR in the sense that symptoms have to be experienced for a prolonged period of time. On the other hand, individuals suffering from CSR experience the associated symptoms for a short period of time, usually for a few weeks or months. Most of the people suffering from PTSD usually recover after about six months. However, others may take a longer time to heal. This is short term PTSD. Some may even have chronic PTSD. To be diagnosed with PTSD, an individual must be suffering from the following symptoms for a period of not less than one month...