Factors contributing to psychological problems:
(1) physical demands with exhaustion
(2) physical trauma
(3) concurrent illness with limited medical resources
(4) intermittent periods of great physical danger
(5) long periods of inactivity with nothing to do
(6) sameness of the people, diet and environment
(7) dietary imbalance and malnutrition (protein deficiency, scurvy, etc)
(8) gastrointestinal disorders (diarrhea, constipation, bloating, etc)
(9) sleep deprivation and disordered sleep
(10) cold exposure
(11) visual problems such as snow blindness
(12) separations from family and friends
(13) rheumatic joint and muscle problems
(14) hypothermia and cold exposures (frostbite, etc)
(15) polar bears (Artic)
(16) prolonged darkness during the winter
(17) sunburn
(18) pre-existing psychological problems
(19) altitude
Psychological problems that may develop:
(1) depression
(2) anxiety
(3) seasonal affective disorder
(4) anger and interpersonal conflict
(5) substance abuse
(6) boredom
(7) spontaneous fugue state ("Antarctic stare")
(8) impaired cognitive thinking (slowing in response times, confusion, etc)
(9) disorientation
