What are the symptoms and signs of combat stress?
• Fatigue This is the most common reaction and includes symptoms such as slowed reaction time, difficulty prioritizing, difficulty performing routine tasks, indecision and overall exhaustion and lack of concentration. • Autonomic Arousal These include physical symptoms such as headaches, backaches, shaking, sweating, nausea, loss of appetite, hyperventilation, dizziness, insomnia, abdominal pains and urinary problems. • Symptoms such as anxiety, irritability, depression, substance abuse, loss of beliefs, mistrust, confusion and an extreme feeling of losing control may also be experienced. The treatment for combat stress begins with prevention, through appropriate training and through providing a good support system. Adequate food, rest and shelter also decrease the likelihood of combat stress. Treatment for those experiencing combat stress generally follows the principal of PIE: Proximity, Immediacy, and Expectancy. Proximity refers to treatment near to the front line. Immediacy refers
