It would be difficult to deal with separation from family and worrying about one's own mortality when living and soldiering in Iraq or Afghanistan. Taking antidepressants or sleeping pills is increasingly common but no exact figures are known as to how many soldiers are taking them.
Antidepressants may be one way to cope but they are not without side-effects. Unintended side-effects may increase insomnia, and adversely effect mental clarity which may put the soldier at risk of death by delayed physical response. Follow-up care should be provided for individuals taking antidepressants but that is not readily available in the war zone.
Another concern is that chronic lack of sleep may increase the chance of PTSD by adversely altering brain chemistry. Stress, burn out and lack of sleep all contribute to the inability of the mind and body to deal with the extreme stress of being assigned to the Mideast.
Medication withdrawal in the midst of being in Iraq could result in increased thinking about suicide or taking unusual risks which put their life at risk. For some, antidepressants amy lead to attempts at suicide.
It is clear that anyone taking antidepressants should be medically monitored- no matter where they are being used.
Bye for now- God Bless-
ANJYL
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