Am J Psychiatry 1978; 135:1189-1192
Copyright © 1978 by American Psychiatric Association
Combat neurosis in inner-city schools
AM Bloch
The author studied 253 classroom teachers who were referred for psychiatric
evaluation because of varying degrees of psychological stress and physical
trauma. These teachers had experienced actual assault or the threat of
assault in inner-city schools. The author evaluated these patients' ego
functioning, attitudes, current life situations, and the presence of any
predisposing factors. On the basis of these evaluations and using
guidelines established in studies of combat neurosis, he recommends that
individuals who experience severe occupational stress be provided
psychological training to prepare them to handle stress, constant support
of and access to people in administrative positions, and a mechanism for
crisis intervention.
