c. Normal Mental and Emotional Reactions to the Stress of Combat.
Included are the following:
(1)
Anxiety: keyed up, worrying, expecting the worst.
(2)
Irritability: swearing, complaining, easily bothered.
(3)
Difficulty paying attention, remembering details.
(4)
Difficulty thinking, speaking, communicating.
(5)
Trouble sleeping; awakened by bad dreams.
(6)
Grief: tearful, crying for dead or wounded buddies.
(7)
Feeling badly about mistakes or what had to be done.
(8)
Anger: feeling let down by leaders or others in the unit.
(9)
Beginning to lose confidence in self and the unit.
5-5.
SEVERE REACTIONS TO THE STRESS OF COMBAT
a. General Information. Severe reactions may be defined as reactions which
cause the soldier to be unable to function on the job, compromise the safety of other
soldiers, and/or compromise his own safety. These reactions create an emergency in
the situation in which the reactions occur. These reactions may endanger either the
mission, the soldier, or other soldiers.
b. Severe Physical Reactions to the Stress of Combat. Included are the
following:
(1)
Disabling fatigue: slowed down, just stands or sits.
(2) Catatonic freezing: may appear dazed or paralyzed; cannot function on
the job or follow orders.
(3)
Shaking (of arms or whole body); cowering in terror.
(4) Part of body won't work correctly with no physical reason: can't use
hand, arm, or legs; can't see, hear, or feel, partially or at all.
(5)
Vacant stare, "spaced out"; staggers and sways when he stands.
MD0586
5-5