COMBAT STRESS REACTION

WHAT TO DO: SELF AND BUDDIES

The enemy doesn't necessarily want to kill you. If he kills you, only you are removed from the battle area. If he wounds you, not only are you taken away from your job but so is the friend who stays to comfort you, the Med A who tends your wounds, and the stretcher bearers and ambulance drivers who carry you to the field hospital. When tending the wounded takes up so much time that units become ineffective, we are beaten.

The enemy will try to wound you in more ways than one. Sure, they'll drop bombs, and fire missiles to get you to give up, but they'll also use psychological means to break your will to win. They will attack using surprise. They will threaten to use poison gas to force you to work in chemical warfare kit. They will keep you awake for days. In short, the enemy will do everything possible to make you as uncomfortable and frightened as possible in the hope that you will break down and be unable to do your job. If you do break down - the enemy wins.

In this booklet, Combat Stress Reaction (CSR) is discussed. Most of you will exhibit some of the signs of CSR at some time. Some of you may have many of the signs often. It is important to realize that these signs are normal responses to an abnormal situation - WAR. All of you can, in spite of the signs, continue to perform effectively. You have to; your buddies are depending on you.

SIGNS OF COMBAT STRESS REACTION

PHYSICAL SIGNS

- Tension, aches, pains, shaking/trembling, weakness in legs, fidgeting.

- Jumpiness: startle at sudden sounds or movement.

- Cold sweat: dry mouth, pale skin, eyes hard to focus.

- Pounding heart: may feel dizzy or light headed.

- Out of breath

- Upset stomach: may throw up.

- Diarrhoea or constipation: frequent urination.

- Emptying bowels and bladder at instant of danger.

- Fatigue: feel tired, drained, takes an effort to move.

- Distant, haunted, "1000 meter" stare.

MENTAL/EMOTIONAL SIGNS

- Anxiety: keyed up, worrying, expecting the worse.

- Irritability: swearing, complaining, easily bothered.

- Difficulty paying attention, remembering details.

- Difficulty thinking, speaking, communicating.

- Trouble sleeping, awakened by bad dreams.

- Grief: tearful, crying for dead or wounded friends.

- Feeling badly about mistakes or what had to be done.

- Anger: feeling let down by leaders or others in unit.

* MOST PEOPLE CAN PERFORM THEIR DUTIES IN SPITE OF THESE SIGNS.

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WHAT YOU CAN DO ABOUT COMBAT STRESS REACTION

- Make yourself look calm and in control.

- Focus on the task at hand.

- Expect to carry on: concentrate on your supervisor's instruction.

- Think of yourself succeeding: talk to others about it.

- Take a deep breath and shrug you shoulders to reduce tension.

- Remember that stress is normal and others are having the same feelings: it helps to joke about it.

- Stay in touch with the rest of your group: talk to them.

- Get the facts: don't believe rumours or jump to conclusions.

- When the situation permits it:

- drink plenty of fluids (save the alcohol for later).

- get a decent meal.

- make yourself comfortable (get dry, wash, change).

- use quick relaxation techniques to unwind.

- sleep (at least four hours or catnap).

- talk about what happened, learn other's perspective, clear up misunderstandings, discuss lessons learned.

- share grief, talk out personal worries with friends, padre.

- keep busy when not resting (recreation, cleaning).

* IF COMBAT STRESS REACTION SIGNS DON'T BEGIN TO IMPROVE TELL YOUR SUPERVISOR.

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PREVENTING COMBAT STRESS REACTION IN YOU AND YOUR BUDDIES

- Welcome new members to your group; get to know them quickly. If you are new, make friends quickly.

- Maintain physical fitness.

- Know your first aid. Use it.

- Practice rapid relaxation techniques.

- Help each other when things are tough at home or in the unit.

- Keep informed, ask your supervisor questions, ignore rumours.

- Sleep when possible; ensure your buddies sleep:

- get six to nine hours sleep per night.

- have a good sleep if you expect to be working long hours.

- catch up on your sleep after going without.

RECOVERING FROM COMBAT STRESS REACTION

There are so many stresses in war that even the most fit can be so affected by stress that they temporarily become a problem to the team.

Although combat stress takes different forms, it is still only stress. It gets better quickly with rest. Sometimes you or one of your buddies will have to leave the unit to get this rest.

If some of your buddies have to leave the unit let them know that you count on them to come back quickly. Visit them, if possible, and tell them how much you need them back at the unit. When they return, welcome them back and expect them to do their full share again.

Don't be surprised or worried if some stress signs (like jumpiness and bad dreams) continue for a short time after you return home. This normal too.

BPSO Calgary 9/91

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