Understanding Combat Stress Response: Signs, Causes, and Healing Strategies

Are you or a loved one suffering from Combat Stress Response? This condition can be distressing for people with this condition and the people who care about them. Fortunately, CSR usually resolves swiftly when sufferers get treatment.

However, if the person with Combat Stress Response does not get the support they need, they may go on to develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). In this blog, we will help you understand the signs and causes of CSR. We also give you the information you need to prevent CSR from developing into PTSD.

For more information on Combat Stress Response treatment, contact Yatra Centre on +66 96 916 3287.

Signs of Combat Stress Response

Combat Stress Response can show up in various ways, impacting your emotions, behavior, and physical health. Here are some common signs to look out for:

Emotional Symptoms

Irritability or anger: You may feel unusually short-tempered or find small annoyances unbearable.

Anxiety and fear: A sense of constant worry or impending danger can dominate your thoughts.

Emotional numbness: Feeling disconnected from loved ones or unable to enjoy life is common.

Guilt or shame: You might replay past events, questioning your actions and feeling responsible.

Behavioral Symptoms

Avoidance: You may avoid reminders of combat, such as certain places, people, or activities.

Hypervigilance: Always being on edge, scanning for threats, and having difficulty relaxing are frequent behaviors.

Sleep disturbances: Insomnia, nightmares, or restless sleep can leave you feeling exhausted.

Withdrawing from others: Social isolation is a common way people try to cope with overwhelming emotions.

Physical Symptoms

Fatigue: Chronic stress can leave you feeling drained, even after rest.

Headaches or stomach issues: Stress often manifests in physical pain or digestive problems.

Increased heart rate: You may notice your heart racing or a feeling of tightness in your chest.

Muscle tension: Stress can lead to ongoing muscle tightness, causing discomfort or pain.

Dangers of Combat Stress Response

While CSR often resolves after the person with CSR is given a period of rest, there is a risk that Combat Stress Response can lead to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). While there are many effective treatments for PTSD, it is usually considered a lifelong condition. 

For this reason, it is important that you get the support that you need if you are experiencing symptoms of CSR.

Healing From CSR With Rest

Resting is an important part of the healing process from CSR. It is also vital that soldiers who have developed Combat Stress Response are not engaged in any further fighting, and are away from areas where combat is taking place, if possible.

Modalities to Help Recover From Combat Stress Response

There are a number of modalities which can also facilitate healing from CSR. Some, like cold therapy, can be done without the aid of a professional. However the clinical approaches to CSR treatment should only be engaged in with the support of a professional who has extensive training in the modality.

Tension and Trauma Releasing Exercises (TRE)

TRE is a somatic therapy designed to help people with trauma release tension in the body. During TRE sessions, the practitioner instructs clients to get in a series of stress positions which activates the body’s natural tremoring mechanism. This release is what causes the beneficial effects found during TRE.

Once a person has attended a few TRE sessions, they can then go on to have sessions by themselves. People with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder often find that having a TRE session a few times a month can effectively reduce or resolve their PTSD symptoms.

Cold Therapy

Like TRE, cold therapy can also restore the nervous system back to equilibrium. This can help to effectively resolve symptoms of Combat Stress Response, which in turn means that the person affected by CSR will not go on to develop PTSD.

Sound Healing

Sound healing involves the use of instruments to create vibrations in the body which can effectively resolve CSR by restoring homeostasis to the nervous system. Sound healing is now readily available across much of the western world. The most common sound healing instrument is the sound healing bowls, which are either made from certain metals or crystal.

EMDR

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is an evidence-based psychotherapy that uses guided bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements, to help soldiers who are experiencing Combat Stress Response process their traumatic memories, alleviating symptoms of CSR.

EMDR can also help to regulate the nervous system. This can lead to reduced physical symptoms, like insomnia, tension and gastrointestinal distress.

Why do Some Soldiers With Combat Stress Response Develop PTSD?

While some soldiers with CSR go on to develop PTSD, not all do. Research indicates that approximately 37% of soldiers who experience CSR during combat are later diagnosed with PTSD. Here are some of the reasons why this happens.

Severity and Duration of Trauma

The intensity and length of exposure to traumatic events play a critical role. Soldiers who experience prolonged combat, repeated exposure to life-threatening situations, or witness extreme violence are more likely to develop PTSD. The cumulative impact of multiple traumatic experiences can overwhelm the brain’s ability to process and recover from CSR.

Pre-Existing Mental Health Conditions

Soldiers with a history of mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression, are more vulnerable to developing PTSD after experiencing CSR. These pre-existing conditions may make it harder for them to cope with the stress and trauma of combat.

Childhood Trauma

Childhood trauma can wire the brain and nervous in such a way that people with childhood trauma are far more likely to develop PTSD following Combat Stress Disorder.

Lack of Social Support

Social support is crucial for recovery from CSR. Soldiers who lack a strong support network—whether from family, friends, or their unit—may feel isolated and struggle to process their experiences. This lack of connection can increase the risk of developing PTSD.

Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms

Some soldiers attempt to numb their trauma with alcohol, drugs or other maladaptive coping strategies. These unhealthy coping mechanisms may lead to soldiers not getting the help they need. Substance abuse following trauma is also more likely to cause dependence.

Trauma Type and Personal Meaning

Soldiers who feel guilt or shame over their actions in combat, or who witness the death of comrades, may experience moral injury. This deep internal conflict can lead to unresolved trauma and the development of PTSD. 

Talk therapy can help those with CSR review their perspective over guilt and shame, which may stop PTSD from developing.

Cultural and Organizational Factors

The military culture of stoicism and the stigma around seeking mental health care can prevent soldiers from addressing their CSR symptoms early. Delayed treatment or suppression of emotions can contribute to the development of chronic PTSD.

Combat Stress Response Treatment at Yatra Centre

Combat Stress Response often requires treatment, to prevent the person with CSR developing PTSD. At Yatra, we have the tools to effectively treat your CSR, ensuring that you recover quickly, limiting your risk of PTSD.

We are situated in Krabi, Thailand, and our centre provides an excellent opportunity to not only engage in modalities which support CSR healing, but also unwind in a relaxing environment. We believe that our serene environment plays an important role in healing from trauma. For more information on how we can help you heal from CSR and other conditions related to trauma, contact us today on +66 96 916 3287.