The Stressors of War

Abstract

One does not need to have ever worn a military uniform to have a conception of the stressors produced by modern warfare. Popular movies and novels, which reflect our fascination with the experience of war, have taught us much about what it is like to participate in combat and the forward support of combat. So also have broadcast and print news media, which have provided us a window into the realities of war through the eyes, ears, and lenses of reporters. But the picture of war painted by artists and journalists must always be approximate and somewhat distorted. We who are duty bound to help prevent, identify, and treat combat and operational stress injuries must have a fuller, more accurate appreciation for the specific physical and mental challenges of participation in military deployment. Our theories, research, and tactics for the management of combat and operational stress reactions depend, for their validity, on the accuracy of our understanding of those stressors.