Combat stress responses in military personnel

1. Combat Stress
Capt Jordan Fields
19 February 2014

2. Overview
 Describe the characteristics of the combat stress
response (CSR)
 Differentiate this response from Acute Stress Disorder
and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
 Brief Guideline on Managing CSRs
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There are 30 slides, in case you're counting

3. Combat Stress (Essentials)
 NOT a psychiatric disorder
 Combat Stress ≠ Eventual PTSD
 NORMAL reaction
 Variety of physiological and psychological reactions
during or immediately after combat
 Short-term, transitory response
 Treatment: Brief intervention
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4. Combat Stress Observed
Physiological
 Rapid Heart Rate
 Shortness of breath
 Headaches, dizziness
 Nausea
 Fatigue
 Jittery, Jumpy
 Tingling/Numb fingers/toes
Psychological
 Hyperalertness
 Trouble Concentrating
 Heightened Irritability
 Hallucination
 Sadness/depression
 Feeling Isolated
 Sleep Problems (Nightmares)
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5. Adaptive
Combat Stress Reactions
 Unit Cohesion
 Alertness and Vigilance
 Increased Strength and Endurance
 Tolerance for Hardship, Pain, Discomfort
 Heroic Acts and Self Sacrifice
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You're at the halfway point! Look alive people, look alive!

6. Time Course of Posttrauma Reactions
Trauma
1
month
3
months
6
months
20
years
40
years
Acute stress disorder
Acute PTSD
Chronic PTSD
Delayed-onset PTSD
Acute stress reaction
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7. Managing Combat Stress
 Normalize
 Set the expectation for symptoms to improve
 Avoid medications
 Eat, drink & sleep
 Keep them active
 Maintain good personal hygiene
 Stay productive and active
 Talk to people
 Monitor for PTSD symptoms
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8. Managing Combat Stress
Refer for treatment
 BHOP
 Mental Health Clinic

9. Content adapted from the following
briefing:
“Assessment and Management of Combat Stress and
PTSD” by Maj Teresa Hughes, Ph.D.
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10. Questions
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