Diagnostics of the Level of Mental Disorder in Combatants with Acute Stress Disorder on the Stage of Hospital Rehabilitation

Abstract

<p>The purpose of the study was to evaluate methods for diagnosing the level of mental disorders in combatants with acute stress disorder. The study presents data from an experimental sample of male military combatants with acute stress disorder (N=39) undergoing medical rehabilitation in a military clinical hospital. To assess the level of mental disorders, we used the “Stanford Acute Stress Reaction Questionnaire” (SASRQ), the “Module-support” (Module-s) questionnaire, and the “Inventory of Neurotic Disorders-Symptomatic” (IND-S). The results showed that the SASRQ provided a reliable assessment of the level of mental disorders, whereas the Module-S and IND-S questionnaires had overlapping indicators across groups, making it difficult to interpret the results unambiguously. It was found that in a military clinical hospital, the largest group of combatants with acute stress disorder (49%) had a neurotic level of mental disorders, classified as temporary psychogenic losses, and required psychotherapeutic help. The second largest group of patients was 36% and had a prenosological level of mental disorders. These patients did not require further evacuation, they required psychological assistance with a subsequent return to duty. Military personnel in the psychogenic losses group (psychotic level) accounted for 15%, these individuals required evacuation to rear medical institutions for specialized psychiatric care.</p>