THE INFLUENCE OF POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDERS IN COMBAT CONDITIONS FOR COMBATANTS IN THE CONDITIONS OF WAR IN UKRAINE

Abstract

The purpose of our research is to show the influence of post-traumatic stress disorders in combat conditions for combatants in the conditions of war in Ukraine. Methods of the research. In general, 95 militaries were participated in our research. The place of organizing this stage of the experiment was the Main Military Clinical Hospital (the Center), Kyiv, Ukraine. They were in the age 24-45 years old. At this stage all respondents were included into one experimental group. These militaries were sent for inpatient treatment by the military commissariats of Kyiv to resolve the issue of fitness for military service. All soldiers have been served in the army in the military zone of Ukraine in the south-east of Ukraine (Donetsk, Lugansk and Kherson regions). They all were included by us into experimental group, which was formed by the help of method of randomization. This stage of the experiment was organized in June–August, 2023. Results and their discussion. Post-traumatic stress disorder of combatants occurs in those cases when a person is exposed to a stressor that goes beyond the scope of ordinary human experience (combat of combatants, a serious threat to life or physical integrity, the death of a comrade, injuries or mutilations received of combatants, the killing of others people) and be capable of causing distress to almost everyone. The influence of an extreme stressor leads to the manifestation of post-traumatic stress disorder in the form of the following manifestations: 1. Avoidance – it is the permanent avoidance of stimuli having been associated with the trauma; occurrence of emotional impoverishment; a feeling of indifference to other people. 2. Hyperactivity. 3. Intrusion. A traumatic event by combatants is constantly lost in one of the following ways: there are unexpected feelings that traumatic events are replayed. Conclusions. So, we identified several options for the occurrence of post-traumatic stress disorders in combat conditions for combatants. Acute combat mental trauma. It arises in the rapid and violently changing circumstances of the battle. This trauma was manifested by sharp, but not psychotic, changes in the combatants’ mental activity. The wounded and sick noted her subjective suddenness. Prolonged (chronic) combat mental injury. Stress factors that are arisen stretch over time (from several hours to several weeks). That is, there is the accumulation of emotional tension and negative experiences. At the same time, against the background of emotional tension, some combatants felt insecurity, anxiety and fear, while others felt indifference and depression.