Features of adaptation after psychical traumatic stress among servicemen who performed special tasks

Abstract

Features of adaptation after psychical traumatic stress in healthy military men who performed special tasks more than half a year ago were studied. It is shown that 40% of combatants have signs of partial posttraumatic stress disorder, which evidences about negative adaptation after psychical traumatic stress. Signs of partial posttraumatic stress disorder in all manifest as neurotic disorders, and in 7,5% of combatants are associated with signs of psychotic disorders. Among the signs of neurotic disorders, the manifestations of somato-vegetative disorder were encountered in 62,5%, affective tension - in 50%, sleep disorder - in 43,8% and anxiety-phobic disorder - in 43,8%. Among the signs of psychotic disorders, there were mildly pronounced manifestations of social phobia, panic disorder and depression. Soldiers with partial posttraumatic stress disorder have a statistically significant decrease in the self-assessment quality of life in such indicators as «general health», «mental health» and «social functioning». The negative correlation between scores of life quality and signs of partial posttraumatic stress disorder pieces of evidence that namely this disorder impacts on the quality of life in combatants. Comparison of servicemen groups with and without signs of partial posttraumatic stress disorder according to the expert evaluation indicators, exhibited by the unit commanders, and according to the indicators of the operator working, did not reveal a significant difference between them. Thus signs of partial posttraumatic stress disorder in combatants decrease self-assessment life quality but do not have an effect on the professional aspect of social functioning under favourable conditions. This military personnel are needed in medical and psychological correction and rehabilitation to prevent the development of maladaptation in stressful conditions.