Treatment of post-traumatic stress disorders: an applied rear-echelon approach

This paper presents an applied innovative rear-echelon approach for the treatment of recalcitrant soldiers suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder in the 1982 Lebanon-Israel War. This was used as an alternative to psychiatric hospitalization. Use was made of a short-term, goal-directed, multidisciplinary treatment approach within the confines of a clear military setting. Reintegration into military and civilian life was an integral part of the program. Results indicated that at discharge, all soldiers showed a markedly improved clinical picture. Follow-up results 2.5 years later indicated that the percentage of regulars who returned to combat units doubled, whereas the reservists showed a slight tendency toward deterioration. Follow-up 6 years later showed the continuation of the same tendency. Ramifications of our findings are extensively discussed.