The Effects of War
Long tours of duty with limited or no stress relief
For many service members, being away from home for long periods of time can cause problems at home or work. These problems only add to their stress levels. This may be even more true for members of the National Guard and Reserves who, unlike active duty service members, do not have a support network immediately available at active duty military installations.
Other factors can add more stress to an already stressful situation. These include the nature of the person’s job, the political climate surrounding the war and where the service member is stationed and fighting. These factors can increase the chance of developing high levels of stress or PTSD.
Many Veterans of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom (OIF/OEF) face high levels of anxiety and stress due to their combat experiences. While serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, service members may perform duties that require them to be constantly alert. They often face frequent incidences of urban guerilla warfare, terrorist attacks and an increase in the use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). Many also experience or witness significant amounts of violence during their tours of duty. OIF/OEF Veterans often serve repeated tours of duty and/or have extended tours in combat zones, increasing anxiety and stress.
Dealing with the emotional aftermath
In Iraq, the ratio of service members wounded to killed is the highest in U.S. history. Our fighting men and women in Iraq are not only at higher risk for being severely injured, but are also more likely to witness the aftermath of violence such as knowing someone who was killed or seriously injured, seeing dead or seriously injured Americans and others, or handling or uncovering human remains. Personally witnessing violence and death has been shown to increase stress, anxiety, anger and aggressive behavior, sleep disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (Hoge et al., 2004).
It's important to get help for stress reactions now
Most service members will have some level of stress but it will not be severe or long lasting. However, those who had more exposure to stressful events and who had stronger reactions are more likely to develop more severe stress reactions. (Hoge, et al. 2006) Therefore, it is important that service members seek help for their stress issues before they become more deeply-rooted problems.
Confidential help is available
You're not alone. We're here to help. The Illinois Warrior Assistance Program is a free program for returning Veterans. Confidential assistance is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call now – 866-554-IWAP (4927).
References
Hoge, C.W., Castro, C.A., Messer S.C., McGurk, D. Cotting, D.I. & Koffman, R.L. (2004). Combat duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, mental health problems, and barriers to care. New England Journal of Medicine, 351, 13-22.
Hoge, C.W., Auchterlonie, J.L., & Milliken, C.S. (2006). Mental health problems, use of mental health services, and attrition from military service after returning from deployment to Iraq or Afghanistan. Journal of the American Medical Association, 295, 1023-1032.
Created by Magellan Health Services staff; reviewed by Magellan clinical staff