STRESS AND COPING WITH TRAUMA OF WAR IN THE PERSIAN GULF

File: 110596_sep96_decls2_0039.txt
Page: 0039
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










             feeling the most anguish were comforted by their friends.
             Anger was frighteningly intense and was often directed at
             the group facilitators or other authority figures. Many of

             the men volunteered that they were not sleeping, or that

             they were avoiding sleep to prevent nightmares. One of the

             sleeping quarters had become a symbol of tragedy because

             several of the bunks were conspicuously empty.

                   The expression of thoughts, feelings, and reactions
             promoted an awakening to the fact of the shared experience.

             This was reinforced and given structure when group

             facilitators explained in detail that the crews' emotional,

             physical, cognitive, and behavioral symptoms were normal

             responses to the tragedy. Finally, crew members were

             advised to avoid alcohol, fist fights, and major life

             decisions until the impact of the immediate trauma had

             subsided.

                  The group debriefings were conducted over a period of

             15 hours; more than 350 crew members were seen. Two teams

             of facilitators worked simultaneously and 'met with each

             other between groups to discuss progress and problems.

             After the last session, all of the debriefers met to discuss

             and digest the days events.

                  The following day, the team was asked to provide

             lectures on the crisis response to the 1500 Marines that

             were stationed on the ship. These lectures were delivered




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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