Reactivation of combat stress after a family member's enlistment

Reactivation of traumatic stress syndromes classically occurs in individuals who have recovered from acute stress reactions or from post-traumatic stress disorder. Triggers of traumatic reactivation may resemble the circumstances of the original trauma or may be less specific, connected to life events such as illness or retirement. In Israel, because of the continuous reminders of combat, reactivation of combat stress has been studied closely. A family member's enlistment is a potential trigger for reactivation. This article explores the general meaning of enlistment for family members, and the reactivation that may accompany that enlistment, through the examination of two cases.