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Psychiatry in the Korean War: Perils, PIES, and Prisoners of War

2002; Oxford University Press; Volume: 167; Issue: 11 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1093/milmed/167.11.898

1930-613X

Elspeth Cameron Ritchie,

Historical Psychiatry and Medical Practices

In the initial months of the Korean War, very high numbers of psychological casualties occurred among American troops, 250 per 1,000 per annum. Initially, these men were evacuated to Japan or the United States, and very few of them were returned to duty. Then the principles of early and far-forward treatment, learned in the previous world wars, were reinstituted. Up to 80% of neuropsychiatric casualties were returned to duty. During and after the war, the prisoners of war were believed to have been "brainwashed," have "give-it-upitis," and exhibit apathy and depression. Mistakenly believed to be signs of moral decay, the psychiatric symptoms during and after release were probably a result of extended inhumane treatment and vitamin deficiencies.