Combat Physiology

The article distinguishes combat stress responses from psychosis when they occur during life-threatening events. Common combat effects include tunnel vision, auditory exclusion, slow-motion time, and memory disturbances. Fear and pain are described as creating strong hardwired learning. A lethal-force encounter can create intense learning similar to painful fear learning. Preparation and post-event instruction are presented as reducing the chance that reactions become overwhelming or pathological. Combat can produce intense physiological and perceptual effects that may destabilize people who are not prepared for them.