The answer would be "yes!" Physically, Paul has to survive. Emotionally, he detaches from his family and bonds unconditionally with his brothers in war. He has to work through losing those brothers, particularly Albert Kropp. Paul's journey is a walk (run) from a naive, gentle, young man, to that of a hardened soldier ready to kill or die.
Mentally and emotionally, the war strips Paul of his hopes and dreams. He eventually comes to find no hope in the future and mourns the dreams he's lost along the way. The realization that his future is lost, in turn, becomes his reason for giving up. He loses himself emotionally long before he loses his life.