Invisible Wounds of War: A visual representation of the mental health challenges faced by soldiers and civilians affected by conflict.

Beyond the Battlefield: Understanding and Healing the Invisible Wounds of War

Lena Kashyap in Health & Wellness November 2025 • 4 min read.

"A deep dive into the neuropsychiatric impact of conflict on soldiers and civilians, and pathways to effective mental healthcare."

War leaves scars that are not always visible. Beyond the physical wounds and destroyed landscapes, conflicts inflict profound psychological trauma on individuals and communities. Soldiers, civilians, refugees, and those living in war zones often grapple with lasting mental health challenges that can reshape their lives.

The conflict in the Donbass region of Ukraine serves as a stark reminder of these hidden consequences. A recent study published in CNS Spectrums sheds light on the neuropsychiatric characteristics of antiterrorist operation (ATO) combatants in the Donbass, offering valuable insights into the mental healthcare needs of those affected by war.

This analysis delves into the study's findings, exploring the specific psychological challenges faced by ATO combatants, comparing their experiences to those of other trauma survivors, and highlighting effective therapeutic strategies for managing the mental health toll of conflict. It's not just about soldiers; understanding the broader impact on refugees, migrants, and civilians is crucial for fostering healing and resilience in war-torn regions.

What Are the Hidden Mental Scars of War?

Invisible Wounds of War: A visual representation of the mental health challenges faced by soldiers and civilians affected by conflict.

The study, led by researchers from Ukraine and Italy, examined 54 ATO combatants and compared them to individuals who had experienced other emergencies, such as the Chernobyl disaster and the war in Afghanistan. The researchers assessed neuropsychiatric features through psychological evaluations, neurological examinations, and quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG).

The findings revealed a cluster of challenges specific to ATO combatants. These included:

Low self-rated health and somatic concerns
High prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Anxiety and insomnia
Depression and social dysfunction
Mild cognitive impairment
Neurological soft signs
Abnormalities in qEEG suggestive of corticolimbic system irritation
Post-conflict personality changes

These symptoms were similar to those observed in individuals affected by the Chernobyl disaster and veterans of the Afghan War, highlighting the common neuropsychiatric consequences of exposure to trauma and conflict. What sets this study apart is its comprehensive approach, considering not only the immediate aftermath of war but also the long-term psychological impact and potential for personality changes.

Hope and Healing After the Storm: Pathways to Recovery

The study emphasizes a comprehensive approach to treatment, integrating psychotropic drugs with various psychotherapies. This holistic strategy, drawing on experiences from managing the Chernobyl disaster and supporting war veterans, offers a framework for assessing and providing mental healthcare to ATO combatants, refugees, and migrants from the Donbass. The authors suggest that voluntary participation in war doesn't eliminate the risk of neuropsychiatric consequences, underscoring the need for proactive mental health support for all involved.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1017/s1092852917000190, Alternate LINK

Title: Neuropsychiatric Characteristics Of Antiterrorist Operation Combatants In The Donbass (Ukraine)

Subject: Psychiatry and Mental health

Journal: CNS Spectrums

Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)

Authors: Konstantin N. Loganovsky, Natalia A. Zdanevich, Marina V. Gresko, Donatella Marazziti, Tatiana K. Loganovskaja

Published: 2017-08-15

Everything You Need To Know

What specific mental health challenges did the ATO combatants experience, and how were these assessed?

The ATO combatants exhibited a range of neuropsychiatric challenges. The study, published in CNS Spectrums, revealed that these included low self-rated health, somatic concerns, high prevalence of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety, insomnia, depression, social dysfunction, mild cognitive impairment, neurological soft signs, abnormalities in qEEG suggestive of corticolimbic system irritation, and post-conflict personality changes. Researchers from Ukraine and Italy assessed these features through a combination of psychological evaluations, neurological examinations, and quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG) to gain a comprehensive understanding of their mental state.

How does the impact on ATO combatants compare to the effects on individuals from other traumatic events like the Chernobyl disaster and the war in Afghanistan?

The study revealed that the neuropsychiatric consequences experienced by ATO combatants closely resemble those observed in individuals affected by the Chernobyl disaster and veterans of the Afghan War. This highlights that exposure to trauma and conflict, regardless of the specific context, can lead to similar mental health challenges. The study emphasizes the commonality of these experiences, providing valuable insights into the broader impact of trauma across different populations.

What is the significance of the study's comprehensive approach in understanding the mental health needs of those affected by war?

The study's comprehensive approach is significant because it considers not only the immediate aftermath of war but also the long-term psychological impact and potential personality changes. By examining the neuropsychiatric characteristics of ATO combatants through psychological evaluations, neurological examinations, and qEEG, the study provides a holistic view of the mental health challenges faced by those affected by war. This approach is crucial for developing effective therapeutic strategies and providing appropriate mental healthcare for ATO combatants, refugees, and migrants from the Donbass.

What are the key therapeutic strategies suggested for recovery, and why is a holistic approach important?

The study emphasizes a comprehensive approach to treatment that integrates psychotropic drugs with various psychotherapies. This holistic strategy, drawing on experiences from managing the Chernobyl disaster and supporting war veterans, offers a framework for assessing and providing mental healthcare to ATO combatants, refugees, and migrants from the Donbass. The importance of a holistic approach lies in addressing the complex interplay of psychological, emotional, and neurological factors involved in trauma recovery. Such an approach can facilitate more effective and sustainable healing, considering the diverse needs of individuals.

How does voluntary participation in war affect the risk of neuropsychiatric consequences, and what does this mean for mental health support?

The authors suggest that voluntary participation in war does not eliminate the risk of neuropsychiatric consequences. This underscores the critical need for proactive mental health support for all individuals involved in conflict, regardless of their level of involvement. It emphasizes the importance of providing accessible and comprehensive mental healthcare to ATO combatants, refugees, and migrants, ensuring they receive the support they need to navigate the challenges of trauma and foster their healing and resilience. The statement highlights that anyone exposed to the environment of war has a risk factor.