Write 5 pages thesis on the topic combat stress control program. Combat stress has become a global concern with the deployment of military troops to various areas of conflict. Shell shock as it was re

Write 5 pages thesis on the topic combat stress control program. Combat stress has become a global concern with the deployment of military troops to various areas of conflict. Shell shock as it was referred to during World War I was supposed to be a coward’s reaction to fighting. In the US combat stress had been accepted as a part of the warfare. The pre-selection procedure became stringent and uniformed psychiatrists were appointed. Dealing with men’s emotional response to war has always been difficult. Men turned to drugs such as marijuana, heroin, morphine, amphetamines, LSD, and alcohol. This led to increasing in loss of life not just on the battlefield but also due to post-traumatic disorders. Things are different now. A nation is more concerned about her people, which imply a more educated and better-informed society (Kennard, 2005).

Past knowledge of combat, just as the fear of flying, can instigate stress amongst the people. Seeing comrades killed can be a traumatic and emotionally disturbing experience during combat but fear of flying is not induced by any physical witnessing of events. People become irritable, unstable, and lose temper over trifles in combat (Gupta, 2005). In a study of four combat units that fought either in Iraq or Afghanistan, it was revealed that 17 percent of those who served in Iraq were under severe depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Less than 40% of those afflicted with PTSD sought help. The Department of Defense now makes it mandatory for every member should be briefed on mental health before, during, and after deployment. A lot of treatment programs have also been introduced, but people still feel it is insufficient. The trauma in them is inevitable as most have handled a body, or killed an enemy combatant, or was themselves a shot at. When someone who was suffering from combat stress and expressed it, he was asked to carry on and compromise for the sake of his career. It implied that he was a coward to try and back out.

Trauma from combat is an injury to the mind that cannot be ignored. It has to be treated in the same way as a body injury. A positive attitude can go a long way in overcoming stigma and accepting therapy. Talking to others in the group who have experienced similar situations, helps the afflicted to face and accept.