Classification and Characteristics of Army Stress Casualties During Operation Desert Storm

During the Persian Gulf War, the U.S. Army provided mental health care to soldiers using a model that emphasized the identification and management of factors associated with combat stress, and simple interventions were used to promote return to duty.

Abstract

During the Persian Gulf War, the U.S. Army provided mental health care to soldiers using a model that emphasized the identification and management of factors associated with combat stress. Nonpathological labels, such as combat stress reaction, a non-hospital-based care delivery system, and simple interventions were used to promote return to duty. The authors describe such services provided to the U.S. Army 7th Corps. A total of 158 patients were treated; 72 percent were men. Seventy percent were from the junior ranks. Thirteen soldiers were treated for axis I disorders, four for axis II disorders, and 118 for stress reactions. Ninety-nine percent of the soldiers treated were returned to effective duty after a brief intervention.