Similarities Between Combat Stress And PTSD

PTSD and Combat Stress Reaction
PTSD or combat stress might be words that are frequently heard and the symptoms are often experienced. Hardly a day passes without the media portraying stories of American Veterans returning home with either of these issues. Although there are differences in how PTSD and combat stress affect a person, it becomes difficult to distinguish these symptoms because they both share similarities. By definition, PTSD, is a considered a serious reaction by those experiencing or witnessing traumatic events which result in a mental health condition that impairs normal everyday functioning. Symptoms might include flashbacks, severe anxiety, nightmares, along with uncontrollable thoughts relating to the event. On the other hand combat stress relates to combat experiences with reactions that are predictable and expected. Combat stress can be attributed to a person experiencing extreme physiological stress due to poor diet, lack of personal hygiene, extreme temperatures, and psychological stress of having the expectation of explosive devices, snipers or witnessing the death of a
relationship and work). There are several symptoms that relates to ways the traumatic event returns. Drescher & Foy (2008) assert that PTSD is often found to be a disorder that provokes intense memories of tragic events. Symptoms include nightmares and flashbacks. Some can be triggered by events or people that remind the individual of the trauma. Strong, disturbing, emotional or physical reactions often follow these memories. PTSD often bring about avoidant/numbing symptoms whereas, the individual avoid people, situations, conversations or any activity that reminds them of the trauma. Finally, there is the constant need to scan their surroundings for danger; they experience difficulty in sleeping, concentrating and are often irritable and