The Neuropsychological Fundamentals of Stress Experiences in Military Personnel

Abstract

Combat operations are a comprehensive test for military personnel serving in regional and local armed conflicts. The tragic consequences of war extend beyond the high number of those killed, wounded, and maimed. Combat stress plays a significant role in operational losses, as it substantially reduces the combat effectiveness of troops. Factors in the combat environment have a strong psychotraumatic effect, disrupting the balance between adaptive mechanisms and the external world. This disruption explains the specific nature of the stress disorders that develop under such conditions. From a conceptual perspective, combat stress should be viewed not merely as a temporary reaction, but as a systemic neurobiological restructuring of the organism. Prolonged emotional pressure triggers a cascade of destructive processes, ranging from neuroendocrine imbalance to structural changes in cerebral vessels. It may increase the risk of strokes and heart attacks, even in individuals with a healthy diet. Emotional responses to stress vary widely among military personnel and are influenced by individual characteristics. Hormonal regulation plays a central role in this process. Stressful situations provoke an excessive release of cortisol, which may become neurotoxic with prolonged exposure. Increased cortisol levels can impact neurogenesis (the formation of new neurones), particularly in the hippocampus, thereby directly impairing a soldier’s cognitive flexibility and capacity to learn under combat conditions.