Additional Coverage:
- Ukraine’s soldiers don’t have time to grieve and can’t risk falling apart, psychiatrist says after visiting front lines (newsbreak.com)
Ukrainian troops engaged in prolonged combat in the Donetsk region are undergoing rigorous training amidst the ongoing war, which is now in its third year. The conflict has inflicted a severe psychological strain on the soldiers involved.
Psychiatrist Yulia Brockdorf, who frequently visits Ukraine to provide psychological support and aid, highlights the mental burdens shouldered by the soldiers. Her visits also involve supplying medical equipment, facilitated by DAWN, a nonprofit co-founded by Brockdorf dedicated to aiding Ukraine.
Brockdorf describes a common coping mechanism among soldiers as temporarily sidelining their grief to maintain focus on their immediate duties. This suppression can prevent immediate psychological breakdowns but often complicates future emotional recovery. She has encountered a range of reactions from the troops, with some appearing desensitized to the continuous loss of life, saying, “it’s war, it happens,” reflecting a hardened acceptance of their grim reality.
Furthermore, the emotional toll from regular exposure to death and violence is profound, with varying impacts. While some soldiers manage to leave the war without apparent psychological scars, others might suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), exhibiting symptoms such as hyper-vigilance or severe anxiety.
Kyiv-based psychotherapist Vladislav Matrenitsky works with returning veterans and notes the delayed onset of PTSD symptoms can disrupt family dynamics and personal stability. He revealed the inner turmoil many soldiers face, recounting that one of his patients frequently roamed the city at night seeking confrontations as an outlet for his pent-up anger.
The lack of consistent aid and the duration of service exacerbate the mental health challenges facing Ukrainian soldiers. Despite these hardships, many soldiers persist without disclosing the full extent of their psychological distress.
This enduring conflict not only tests the physical limits of those on the front lines but also underscores the critical need for sustained mental health support to help soldiers cope with the immediate and residual effects of war.