Understanding and treating combat-related post traumatic stress disorder: a soldier's story

Abstract

This work documents the treatment of a 20-year-old male suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as a result of his experience during two years of national service as an Operations "Ops" Medic in the South African Defence Force. The literature review is drawn largely from the body of work emerging from the Vietnam War, and in particular the work of Robert Lifton and Erwin Parson is considered. The case study consists of a detailed synopsis of the treatment based upon material from the therapy sessions. This section hopes to accurately convey the experience of working with someone suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and provide insight into the dynamics of such a therapeutic relationship. Finally the discussion examines the links between the theory and the treatment and attempts to understand the various factors which shaped and influenced the final outcome of the therapy. Special consideration is given to showing how essentially cognitive restructuring techniques are successfully utilised within a more existential, psychodynamic framework. Furthermore, there is a paucity of literature on the subject of combat-related Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in South Africa and it is hoped that this work will both point to a need for further research in this field whilst simultaneously provide guidance for those who wish to become involved in working with individuals suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.