The prognosis of psychiatric treatment in military service.

The author discusses the outcome of psychiatric treament in the Military. He served as a military psychiatrist in Norway for one year. During this time he personally examined and treated 215 soldiers with psychiatric disorders. The diagnostic composition of the patient group and the treatment given are described. The patient material was again examined at the end of the military service period, when one-third of the patients had been found unfit for service. The remainder were still fit for service. The patients did not differ from soldiers in general from a disciplinary point of view. However, they did not achieve as good grades in personal conduct and military efficiency as the other soldiers. The patient's clinical picture at the follow-up examination had improved when compared to the initial psychiatric examination. The author concludes that psychiatric treatment in the Military is both possible and desirable.