Soldiers' mental health is particularly affected by traumatic experiences during overseas deployments. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is probably the best-known mental illness that can occur as a result of overseas deployment. Other mental illnesses are now also being diagnosed in connection with foreign deployments. Within the British Armed Forces, these illnesses are recognised as mental disorders resulting from deployment, on a par with post-traumatic stress disorder. Some soldiers develop several such deployment-related disorders. All of these are serious illnesses and require professional treatment.
Below, we briefly explain the most common mental illnesses that can occur after a posting abroad.
Stressful events are the main contributing factor to the development of addiction. A distinction is made between substance-related and non-substance-related addictions.
Substance-related addictions: Substances are consumed to such an extent that they cause damage to the body, the psyche and the social environment.
These substances include
Such an addiction usually begins with a kind of self-treatment attempt. Those affected initially try to relax, reduce anxiety or forget what has happened by taking the substances – even if only temporarily.
As time goes on, this can lead to a loss of control. The substance must be taken more and more frequently and in larger quantities in order to continue to achieve a positive effect. A single instance of substance abuse can quickly develop into addiction. This can go so far that other interests are put aside in favour of consuming the substance and almost all thoughts revolve around taking the substance. If an attempt is made to stop taking the substance, withdrawal symptoms appear.
Regular consumption of legal and illegal substances is not only harmful to the body and mind, but also to the social environment. Those affected spend a lot of time obtaining and consuming the substance in question. They often have to recover from the after-effects, which severely restricts their social life. Despite the harmful physical consequences, those affected are unable to stop using the substance.
Non-substance-related addictions describe the dependence on certain behaviours that can no longer be controlled. These include, for example, gambling behaviour, computer or internet use, shopping, work, sports or sexual behaviour.
People react to dangerous or threatening situations with symptoms of anxiety. An anxiety disorder is present when a relatively harmless situation triggers an unreasonably strong feeling of anxiety, leading to significant limitations in everyday life. Those affected increasingly avoid putting themselves in situations that cause them anxiety.
There are five main types of anxiety disorders:
Fear of being in large spaces and crowds. Those affected fear experiencing embarrassing situations from which they cannot escape or in which they are unable to get help in time.
Typical situations:
Shopping in the supermarket; visiting public places such as restaurants or cinemas; using public transport.
Fear of social situations. Those affected are afraid of being the centre of attention and of being observed and (supposedly negatively) judged by other people. The fear can be so pronounced that social contact is avoided altogether.
Typical situations:
Discussions with superiors or authorities; giving a presentation; approaching someone.
Fear of a specific situation or object.
Typische Beispiele:
Fear of enclosed spaces, heights, injections, blood, animals (e.g. spiders, insects, mice).
Recurring, pronounced anxiety attacks that occur several times within a month. A panic disorder occurs suddenly, is not limited to specific situations and is therefore unpredictable.
Common symptoms:
Heart palpitations, chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness.
Fear of everything possible. Those affected constantly have serious worries and fears about everyday situations and real potential dangers. For example, they worry about their health, their relationship, their job or their finances. They overestimate the likelihood of the feared events occurring and the possible consequences thereof.
Some typical fears: Something bad might happen to a relative; there won't be enough money; the children might get ill.
A stressful life event can trigger problems in the process of adapting to the new life situation. The affected person may then exhibit negative changes in their state of mind and social behaviour. Depression, sleep disorders, impaired performance or increased irritability are further symptoms that often lead to problems at work and/or in private life.
Patients with depression suffer from a depressed, negative mood, joylessness and reduced motivation without any direct trigger. Those affected talk about their inability to experience joy. They report circular, brooding thoughts and an inner emptiness, even total numbness. It is torture for them to make decisions and cope with everyday situations. Often, they are no longer able to cope with even the smallest of tasks.
Eine Depression führt zu psychischen und körperlichen Symptomen. Die wichtigsten Symptome einer Depression sind:
A distinction is made between different forms of depressive disorders:
Such phases can occur once or repeatedly. They are usually the result of severe stress and display several of the symptoms mentioned above. If left untreated, these phases can last four to six months.
This is a longer-lasting form of major depression, but the symptoms are less severe. Those affected often experience additional depressive episodes.
Those affected experience both depressive and manic phases.
Manic phases are characterised by
In addition to foreign assignments, the following factors can contribute to the development of depression:
Depression is one of the most common and serious mental illnesses. People with depression experience profound changes in their feelings, thoughts and behaviour, and even changes in their physical functions. People suffering from depression have a significantly increased risk of suicide.
In dissociative disorder caused by trauma, part of the conscious perception, memory or sensation splits off. For example, a person affected by this may no longer be able to remember what they have experienced, may suffer from paralysis of the extremities or even complete immobility, or may develop emotional numbness. These symptoms usually subside on their own after a few months.
People who suffer from eating disorders become obsessively preoccupied with food and weight. Refusal to eat, binge eating or deliberately induced vomiting are characteristic symptoms. Eating disorders can quickly lead to serious health consequences.
During foreign deployments, soldiers may find themselves in situations that require them to behave in ways that are incompatible with their own values. Troops operating outside their camps are particularly at risk of suffering serious moral violations.
Possible situations that can cause moral harm to soldiers include:
Those affected often report that such experiences lead to significant changes in their personal values. These include, for example, a greater appreciation of family, friends and positive character traits, while material goods become less important. Those affected often perceive such changes with pride and satisfaction. However, psychological stress can arise if their changed values are met with incomprehension or rejection in their social environment.
Sleep disorders occur particularly frequently in connection with PTSD and other mental illnesses (resulting from trauma). However, sleep is very important for humans so that the body and mind can recover. Traumatised individuals often try to avoid sleep for as long as possible. For them, sleep is associated with unpleasant feelings.
These fears prevent traumatised people from sleeping.
Sleep disorders can have many causes. The most important ones are:
Depression: People with depression often wake up earlier than planned or find it difficult to get out of bed.
Medicines: Certain medicines can disrupt sleep.
These include
Anyone taking such medication and experiencing sleep problems should consult their doctor for advice.
Sleeping pills: They alter your natural sleep cycle. With regular use, most preparations require a constantly increasing dose in order to induce sleep. Long-term use of sleeping pills can lead to psychological dependence. The effects of sleeping pills often last into the day after taking them, leaving you feeling sleepy or lethargic throughout the day.
Sleep apnoea: This condition causes breathing interruptions during sleep, which are caused by a narrowing of the airways (nose or throat) while sleeping. As a result, not enough oxygen-rich air reaches the lungs, causing the body to react by waking up frequently. Those affected are usually unaware of the condition. Symptoms such as loud snoring, snorting or gasping for air are usually noticed by the partner.
These symptoms could indicate sleep apnoea:
Worries: Mulling over problems, planning future events or even the fear of not being able to fall asleep keeps you awake.
You can find helpful tips for restful sleep in our advice section.
Somatoform disorders describe physical complaints that persist over a long period of time but for which no organic medical causes can be found. Uncertainty about their own state of health often leads to pronounced fears of illness in those affected.
The most common complaints include:
To alleviate their suffering, most sufferers develop protective and avoidance behaviours with regard to their symptoms. They take medication without a doctor's prescription, use medical services more frequently than usual or often change doctors, a practice known as doctor shopping.
c/o Psychological Trauma Centre of the German Armed Forces
13 Scharnhorst Street
10115 Berlin
Feel free to follow us: