Combat adaptations of Vietnam veterans without posttraumatic stress disorders

Ten veterans who did not develop posttraumatic stress after intense combat in Vietnam were studied and found a highly consistent adaptation to combat: During combat each of these veterans had exhibited calmness under pressure, intellectual control, acceptance of fear, and a lack of excessively violent or guilt-arousing behavior.

Abstract

Ten veterans who did not develop posttraumatic stress after intense combat in Vietnam were studied to explain what had protected them. The authors found a highly consistent adaptation to combat: During combat each of these veterans had exhibited calmness under pressure, intellectual control, acceptance of fear, and a lack of excessively violent or guilt-arousing behavior. The authors believe that these traits may be part of an adaptation uniquely suitable for preserving emotional stability in an unstructured, unstable context.