ARTICLE
Stabilisation mission in Iraq, the individual symptoms of PTSD and a comparison of the level of depression, anxiety and aggression among soldiers returning from the mission and soldiers that stayed in Poland
 
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Arch Psych Psych 2012;14(4):9-17
 
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ABSTRACT
Aims. The aim of the survey was to establish whether PTSD is present among Polish soldiers returning from a one-year deployment to Iraq and an analysis of its individual symptoms. Methods. Sixty soldiers were examined, including 30 who returned from the Iraqi mission and 30 who remained in Poland. Five analysing devices were used: IPSA, STAI, BDI, a PTSD questionnaire and a socio- demographical form. Results. A significant number of soldiers experienced a traumatic event during the mission in Iraq. Although the Iraq deployment did not change the level of depression and anxiety among the two groups of soldiers, disproportions were found in the range of anger level intensity, which was significantly higher among soldiers who returned from Iraq. Conclusion. Stabilisation mission and the experience of a traumatic event influenced the biological and psychological functioning patterns among soldiers who returned from Iraq. The manifestations of this were the strong emotional and physiological reactions that the soldiers experienced (nightmares, excessive sweating, increased heartbeat rate, stressful reactions in situations similar to the traumatic occurrence and intensified responses to them). However, contrary to the assumptions, it was not concluded that soldiers who returned from Iraq are suffering from PTSD. The indicated deficiencies can be accounted for in the complexity of the PTSD phenomenon.
eISSN:2083-828X
ISSN:1509-2046
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