Stress, suicide, and military service during operation uphold democracy

Abstract

The initial weeks of Operation Uphold Democracy were marked by a high rate of major axis I disorders among soldiers presenting for treatment at the 528th Combat Stress Center. The mission to Haiti was also marked by three suicides during the first 30 days. The author explores psychodynamic sources of stress that may have contributed to the high level of psychiatric acuity observed during that first month. Then, distinctions are made between psychiatric conditions that present in combat and those that occur on peacekeeping missions.