PSYCHIATRIC CASUALTIES IN THE ROYAL CANADIAN NAVY
MARVIN WELLMAN M. D., D.PSYCH.1, and
J. F. SIMPSON B. A., M. D., M. SC.2
1 Surgeon Commander, R. C. N. V. R.
2 Surgeon Lieutenant, R. C. N. V. R.
1. Mental conditions were responsible for 15% of the medical discharges from the Royal Canadian Navy. This figure has remained constant.
2. Psychoneurotic reactions were by far the most frequent psychiatric casualties observed. More than half of these were anxiety states. Psychoses have been rare.
3. The most frequent precipitating factor was naval service life, and in this the most important component was failure to adjust to the demands of living in a group. Sea service was the next most frequent factor and enemy action the most important component.
4. Of those who broke down at sea practically half did so during the first six months. Following a decrease for nine months the incidence rises, from which we might conclude that personnel should not be left at sea under conditions of active warfare for more than fifteen months.
5. At least 85% of our psychiatric casualties have been returned to full duty.
