Principles of Psychological Intervention in War Zones

Aims. Armed conflict is associated with significant long-term psychiatric morbidity. The concept of early psychological intervention in response to traumatic events has been a compelling notion since World War I. The objective of this survey is to assess and provide an approach to psychological problems in war zones. Methods. Psychological interventions to reduce the incidence of psychiatric disorder following psychological trauma may be classified into three categories: 1- Primary prevention includes the selection, preparation and training of individuals likely to be exposed to potentially traumatizing events 2- Secondary prevention comprises a variety of brief psychological techniques immediately or shortly after traumatizing life events, the best known of which is Psychological Debriefing and 3- Tertiary interventions consist of the treatment of established PTSD and others. Results. Relying on five principles and devised in World War I, standard intervention for combat stress reaction. Conclusion. The end of a mission finishes stress. Being informed about the time of the end of the mission and its related stress elevates ones tolerance. In general, one-year missions reduced the number of psychological traumas.