combat fatigue [L, com, together, battuere, to beat, fatigare, to tire] , any of a variety of psychological disorders, usually temporary but sometimes permanent, resulting from exhaustion, the stress of combat, or the cumulative emotions and psychological strain of warfare or other traumatic situations. It is characterized by anxiety, depression, irritability, memory and sleep disorders, and various related symptoms. Also called combat neurosis, war neurosis. See also posttraumatic stress disorder, shell shock.
