Classification and Characteristics of Army Stress Casualties During Operation Desert Storm

During the Persian Gulf War, the U.S. Army provided mental health care to soldiers using a model that emphasized the identification and management of factors associated with combat stress. Nonpathological labels, such as combat stress reaction, a non-hospital-based care delivery system, and simple interventions were used to promote return to duty. The authors describe such services provided to the U.S. Army 7th Corps. A total of 158 patients were treated; 72 percent were men. Seventy percent were from the junior ranks. Thirteen soldiers were treated for axis I disorders, four for axis ii disorders, and 118 for stress reactions. Ninety-nine percent of the soldiers treated were returned to effective duty after a brief intervention.