Combat Fatigue

com·bat fatigue (kmbt)

n.

Posttraumatic stress disorder resulting from wartime combat or similar experiences. No longer in scientific use. Also called battle fatigue, shell shock.

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combat fatigue

Etymology: L, com, together, battuere, to beat, fatigare, to tire

any of a variety of psychologic disorders, usually temporary but sometimes permanent, resulting from exhaustion, the stress of combat, or the cumulative emotions and psychologic strain of warfare or other traumatic situations. It is characterized by anxiety, depression, irritability, memory and sleep disorders, and various related symptoms. Also called combat neurosis; adjacent war neurosis. See also posttraumatic stress disorder, shell shock.

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Battle Fatigue

The approved US Army term (AR 40-216) for combat stress symptoms and reactions which
• Feel unpleasant.
• Interfere with mission performance.
• Are best treated with reassurance, rest, replenishment of physical needs, and activities which restore confidence. The condition affects soldiers after long tours of combat duty and is characterised by a loss of self-esteem, anxiety, tremulousness, depression, extreme emotional lability, dyspepsia, and dyspnea.
Battle fatigue can also be present in soldiers who have been physically wounded or who have non-battle injuries or diseases caused by stressors in the combat area. It may be necessary to treat both the battle fatigue and the other problems.

Battle fatigue may coexist with misconduct stress behaviors. However, battle fatigue itself, by definition, does not warrant legal or disciplinary action

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combat fatigue

Battle fatigue, combat shock Psychiatry A condition that affects soldiers after long tours of combat duty, which is characterized by a loss of self-esteem, anxiety, tremulousness, depression, extreme emotional lability, dyspepsia, dyspnea. See 'Burn-out syndrome.', Old soldier's heart, Post-traumatic stress disorder.