The Spiritual Sequelae of Combat as Reflected by Vietnam Veterans Suffering from PTSD

Abstract

Combat veterans experience severe physical, psychological and social consequences as a result of their involvement in life-threatening and other horrific phenomena. They also endure a great deal of trauma to their spiritual selves as well. This article reports on a group led by the co-authors of this paper that was designed to focus on the spiritual dimension of the experience of a group of seven Vietnam combat veterans. We observed a number of very specific ways in which they were traumatized as spiritual persons and we conceptualize much of this spiritual damage as loss to their spiritual selves. Thus, facilitating a process of grieving for the spiritual self that was would seem to be an important aspect of treatment. We recommend inclusion of the spiritual dimension in therapy by other healthcare professionals.

Key Words:

• Spirituality
• psychotherapy
• trauma
• war
• evil
• grief