STRESS AND COPING WITH TRAUMA OF WAR IN THE PERSIAN GULF

File: 110596_sep96_decls2_0023.txt
Page: 0023
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










               anxiety, and an increased depression. For -many, improved

               strength, endurance, and physique resulted in an increased

               sense of mastery, control, and self worth.

                    when injured, some were unable or unwilling to stop

               exercising and compounded their problems. One physician in

               particular arrived on the ship overweight, weak, and

               overworked. He began a strenuous exercise program, lost

               weight, and built muscles. He appeared driven and

               ultimately was injured and forced to cut back on his

               exercise program. Ile became sullen, tired, and forlorn. It

               was as if his replacement profession had been lost.

                    The flight dock was a hub of activity at the close of

               the working day. Runners circled the perimeter while the
               walking group took an inside track. The pace of the running

               often slowed as the conversations became more serious.

               After dinner, groups would huddle around short wave radios

               to ingest and then digest the tidbits of news available from

               the BBC. Srialler groups would then form and return to

               walking. Many became close friends and confidants as they

               tried to make sense of the situation, cope with the unknown,

               vent angex,.and keep memories of home fresh. Friendships

               developed that would otherwise have been impossible. There

               was no escape. The crew ate meals, worked, worried, watched

               movies, wrote letters, and even showered together.





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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