Psychological Features of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder of Combatants in the Situation of War in Ukraine

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to show psychological features of post-trau­matic stress disorder of combatants.

Methods of the research. The following theoretical methods of the research were used to solve the tasks formulated in the article: a categorical method, structural and functional methods, the methods of the analysis, systematization, modeling and generalization. The experimental method was the method of or­ganizing empirical research.

The results of the research. The following methods were shown to be widely used by psychologists and rehabilitation specialists of military units and unit commanders in the practice of psychological rehabilitation of combatants who had received combat mental trauma: autogenic techniques (performance of mental self-regulation techniques, self-training, meditation, etc.); physiologi­cal methods (deep sleep, rest, quality food, drinking a lot of water, shower, field bath); organizational means (establishing a clear regime of work and rest, in­volvement of servicemen into active combat training, service, preservation of military uniform); medication means (sedatives, tranquilizers, antidepressants, nootropics, psychostimulants, phytotherapy, vitamin therapy, etc.); psychotherapeutic techniques and methods (individual and group rational psychotherapy, music, library, art, nature therapy, etc.).

Conclusions. We proved that the situation of hostilities, which take place in the east of Ukraine, leads to pronounced changes in the functional state of mental activity, which is characterized by the development of extremely strong negative emotions, such as anxiety, fear, severe mental and physical fatigue. The rapid transition to a peaceful reality often does not allow combatants to adequately respond to certain circumstances from the perspective of the sur­rounding reality. Post-traumatic stress disorder, becoming chronic, affects al­most every aspect of a combatant’s life, including work, activity, interpersonal relationships, physical health and self-esteem.