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War Surgery and Medicine

Transition to Civilian Life

Transition to Civilian Life

The policy of the War Pensions Branch of the Social Security Department in the management of war neurosis cases was to give the benefit of any doubt to the soldier, but at the same time to encourage employment at as early a stage as possible. There was also close co-operation with the Rehabilitation Department. In spite of this sympathetic treatment many of the cases still showed signs of neurosis a considerable time after their return to New Zealand. The most common symptoms were irritability, a feeling of tiredness after a day's work, difficulty in concentrating on any job where mental attention was required, lack of desire to meet people or go out to social engagements and pictures. These symptoms were present to a greater or lesser degree in practically all soldiers who had been overseas for any length of time. Settling down of the soldier was made difficult, particularly in the nervous neurotic type, if civilian life had to be taken up in overcrowded and unsuitable home surroundings.

According to the records of the War Pensions Branch there were never more than thirty cases of war neurosis receiving treatment as inpatients of hospitals or institutions at any one time; most cases soon returned to full employment, when their pensions ceased. Only a small proportion of all the neurosis cases remained unemployed for any length of time, and in most of these there were some special circumstances. The successful rehabilitation of nearly all of the cases was a creditable record for those responsible for their management in New Zealand.