Somatic and psychological symptoms in soldiers after military clashes and peace-keeping missions
De Vries, M.; Soetekouw, P.M.; van Bergen, L.F.; van der Meer, J.W.; Bleijenberg, G.
Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Geneeskunde 143(51): 2557-2562
1999
ISSN/ISBN: 0028-2162 PMID: 10633795 Document Number: 508721
Dutch soldiers who have participated in the peace keeping operation United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) have reported various somatic and psychological symptoms since their return. Their symptoms show similarities to the Gulf War Syndrome. The question arises whether Gulf War Syndrome, symptoms in UNTAC soldiers and other symptoms after acts of war and peace operations are unique syndromes or comparable complaints? From an historical overview it is not plausible that new and unique syndromes will occur with each war or peace operation. On the other hand it also seems unlikely that war syndromes can be reduced to one diagnostic category. The post-Cambodia complaints may be described in four hypothetical models: the somatic start model, the psychotrauma start model, the premorbidity model and the complaints-not-related-to-Cambodia model. These models are expected to be applicable, after further validation, to other symptoms after acts of war and peace operations. Also they will provide points of application for prevention and treatment of symptoms after future wars and peace operations.