Combat stress reaction and changes in military medical profile

This study examines changes in the military medical profile following participation in war. Two groups of Israeli soldiers who participated in the 1982 Lebanon War were studied: 360 soldiers who were treated for immediate combat stress disorder during the war, and a matched control group of 310 soldiers who participated in the same war and were not identified as combat stress reaction casualties. Significant lowering of the profile after the war was noted for both groups. These changes were much stronger for combat stress reaction casualties. The differences between the groups were especially pronounced with regard to the addition of the psychiatric impairment category to the military medical profile. No background characteristics differentiated between combat stress reaction casualties who lowered their profile and those who did not. The implications of the findings for further research and for military mental health policy are discussed.