Test that could prevent Army trauma

SOLDIERS at risk of shell shock can be spotted before they are even sent to the battlefield with a simple questionnaire, researchers have found.

The test identifies those most prone to post-traumatic stress or depression before they have been in combat.

A study of tens of thousands of veterans found those who scored worst were much more likely to develop battlerelated mental illness.

The test could allow experts to intervene and boost soldiers’ psychological health before they are exposed to combat, say scientists. Lead author Yu-Chu Shen said: ‘We found soldiers who had the worst pre-military psychological health attribute scores carried much higher odds of screening positive for depression and post-traumatic stress.’

The set of questions asked early in a soldier’s career could also save money later on treatment and lost productivity after the return from deployment.

The test assesses 14 psychological attributes such as adaptability, coping ability and optimism. It could help soldiers deal with combat trauma and separation from friends and family, said the team from the Naval Postgraduate School and Research Facilitation Laboratory in Monterey, California.

There is no cure for post-traumatic stress disorder, which can lead to insomnia and hyper-alertness. Sufferers are at six times greater risk of suicide and marital problems. Available treatments are often ineffective.