COMBAT STRESS

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COMBAT STRESS

• BY
• FLEET FAMILY SUPPORT CENTER
• Naval Construction Battalion Center
• Gulfport, Mississippi

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COMBAT STRESS

• Combat stress is a term used to describe a normal
  
• physiological behavioral, and psychosocial
  reactions
• experienced before, during or after combat.

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SOURCES OF COMBAT STRESS

• Physical exhaustion
• Constant defensiveness
• Extreme conditions
• Loss of sleep
• Fear of loss of control
• Helplessness
• Fear of failure or disgrace
• Preoccupation with conditions back home.

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Physical and Mental Stressors

• ENVIRONMENTAL
• weather
• noises
• infectious agents
• physical work
• limited space

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STRESSORS CONT.

• PHYSIOGOGICAL
• sleep deprivation
• dehydration
• muscular fatigue
• headaches
• mental fatigue
• Repetitive duties

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STRESSORS CONT.

• Mental stressors
• Information overload, confusion
• Uncertainty, isolation
• Outside criticism
• Unpredictability, constant changes
• Rules of engagement

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EMOTIONAL STRESSORS

• Helplessness
• Anger/Rage
• Resentment
• Anxiety producing threats, put downs, insults
• Boredom
• Depression

• Confusion
• Loneliness
• Fear
• Isolation
• Spiritual confrontation.
• Increased irritability

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Signs of Increased Stress

• Increased irritability
• Extreme Reactions and responses
• Shortness of breadth/anxiety attacks
• Decreased ability to complete jobs/tasks
• Memory impaired
• Heightened anger level
• Self destructive behavior/liquor intake increased

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Extreme reactions to stress

• Destructive behavior
• Poor problem solving
• Depression
• Withdrawal/isolation
• Suicidal ideation

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How to Reduce Stress

• Avoid self destructive behaviors or persons.
• Alter negative thought patterns.
• Reduce repetitious thinking/detachment thinking.
• Identify future goals and work on them.
• Exercise regularly /eat daily/ get adequate
  sleep.
• Utilize humor in every area of life.
• Pursue belief system and encourage talents.
• Delay gratification.
• Dedicate self to the truth.

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How to Reduce Anger

• Be an expert on your anger.
• Identify the initial feelings before anger.
• Learn how to challenge negative thinking.
• Learn to detach from the source of the
  irritation/take time to yourself.
• Distract yourself and become occupied with
  constructive behavior and thinking.
• Take a deep breath.
• Safe place imagery.

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Who Can Help

• Chain of Command
• Fleet and Family Support Center/Janice Hickman
  /counselor / 011-53-99-4141
• Ombudsman /Amy Thomason / 011-53-99-7599
• Chaplain
• Family and friends