title: Combat and personality change.
abstract: In response to combat, some soldiers develop a feeling of satisfaction in killing. The authors label this reaction the "heart of darkness experience," after the story by Joseph Conrad (1903/1982). They describe their clinical experience of seeing this response as part of a spectrum of reactions ranging from no personality change to rather gross personality change. After exploring psychological factors involved in this change, they suggest relevant treatment considerations.
authors.affiliation: Colmery-O'Neil VA Medical Center in Topeka, Kansas.
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Bradshaw
authors.forename: C D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Ohlde
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Horne
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D001293:Attitude to Death; D003130:Combat Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D003674:Defense Mechanisms; D003717:Denial, Psychological; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D011613:Psychotherapy; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology; D014858:War Crimes; D014857:Warfare