The toll of war captivity: Vulnerability, resilience, and premature aging

Zahava Solomon*, Avi Ohry

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

It is apparent from clinical experience and the literature that persons, who experience severe physical or mental trauma, are susceptible to premature aging (or psychological symptomatology). Long-term follow-up of repatriated prisoners of war also confirm this observation. Coping with physical and mental sequelae of captivity means a constant struggle to maintain some kind of homeostasis. Often, this delicate equilibrium fails. Claude Bernard stated that To have a free life, independent of the external environment, requires a constant internal environment (Bernard, 1957, P. 8). This is the underlying principle of homeostasis. When it collapses due to wear and tear processes, premature aging/morbidity process takes place.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationTrauma Rehabilitation After War and Conflict
Subtitle of host publicationCommunity and Individual Perspectives
PublisherSpringer New York
Pages361-387
Number of pages27
ISBN (Print)9781441957214
DOIs
StatePublished - 2010

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