STRESS AND COPING WITH TRAUMA OF WAR IN THE PERSIAN GULF

File: 110596_sep96_decls2_0021.txt
Page: 0021
Total Pages: 48

Subject: STRESS AND COPING WITH TRAUMA OF WAR IN THE PERSIAN GULF        

Unit: VAR. BUMED  

Parent Organization: BUMED       

Box ID: BX303818

Folder Title: USNS COMFORT TAH 20 MEDICAL ARTICLES 1991 1992                                                  

Document Number:          4

Folder SEQ  #:         13










                something that could be discussed.,o.r understood. It simply
                had to be ignored. The terrifying information was managed

                by avoidance, denial, and minimization to maintain a sense

                of safety, even though the safety was illusory.

                     Some people withdrew when fear was overwhelming in

                order to avoid being paralyzed. Others were more open about
                their fear. Often people would cry in their work spaces or

                on the decks. Expressions of fear were generally accepted

                but could become contagious. Later the expressions of fear

                were felt to be noxious; people turned away from those who

                appeared terrified. Many of the younger enlisted sailors

                denied any danger and ridiculed anyone who spoke of their

                fear.. , , @. .- - --.I . -        I @', .,. -

                .. ","Both writing and receiving mail were important avenues

                for maintaining contact with home and the feeling that one

                was not forgotten and still "mattered.'' Mail addressed to

                "any serviceman" was received in enormous quantities. Crew

                members developed long distance friendships and spent many

                hours chronicling their experiences in letters. This

                process of putting thoughts and feelings into words to be

              ..read by interested but distant people provided solace and-.-

                organized the experience. People with pens and pads

                scribbling fervently often populated the common areas of the

                ship. Many crew members raised in the video age

                rediscovered the written word.





                                              634

Document 48 f:/Week-39/BX303818/USNS COMFORT TAH 20 MEDICAL ARTICLES 1991 1992/stress and coping with trauma of war in the pers:1104960910243
Control Fields 17
File Room = sep96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-39
Box ID = BX303818
Unit = VAR. BUMED
Parent Organization = BUMED
Folder Title = USNS COMFORT TAH 20 MEDICAL ARTICLES 1991 1992
Folder Seq # = 13
Subject = STRESS AND COPING WITH TRAUMA OF WAR IN THE PERS
Document Seq # = 4
Document Date =
Scan Date =
Queued for Declassification = 01-JAN-1980
Short Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Long Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Permanent Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Non-Health Related Document = 01-JAN-1980
Declassified = 04-NOV-1996