After serving in military combat, many soldiers suffer from emotional trauma. This trauma may include Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, anger, fear, flashbacks, nightmares, difficulty sleeping, substance abuse, suicidal thoughts, and relationship problems. Partners play an important role in helping their soldier spouses recover and reintegrate into civilian life. Here are some ways that partners can support relational development while honoring soldiers' need for emotional safety and gradual reintegration:
1. Listen actively to your partner's experiences during deployment and after returning home. Don't interrupt them or minimize what they say. Show respect and care for their feelings.
2. Be understanding about your partner's changing needs and moods. They might be more irritable, moody, distant, or quiet than usual. Allow them time and space to process their emotions without pressuring them to talk about it.
3. Give your partner regular affection and attention. Hold hands, give hugs and kisses, make eye contact, and talk openly about how you feel. Your partner will appreciate these acts of intimacy and closeness.
4. Respect your partner's privacy when it comes to discussing their experience in the military. Let them decide who to share with and when. Don't push for details if they don't want to talk about it.
5. Acknowledge your own feelings as well. Military service is a difficult topic for both partners. Express how you feel about your partner's deployment and reintegration into civilian life. Share any concerns or worries you have and work through them together.
6. Attend counseling sessions together. Talking with a therapist can help couples communicate better and address any issues that arise from deployment. Seek out specialized services designed for military families.
7. Be patient with your partner. Reintegrating takes time, and there may be setbacks along the way. Stay positive and supportive, and remind each other that healing is possible.
8. Learn about the signs of PTSD and depression so you can recognize when your partner needs extra care. Encourage them to seek treatment if needed. Take care of yourself too - getting enough rest, exercise, and healthy meals can help manage stress levels.
9. Find activities you can do together, such as going to the beach, visiting a museum, or watching a movie. Enjoying shared experiences helps build trust and strengthen the relationship.
10. Make plans for the future, such as family vacations or home improvement projects. This can give your partner something to look forward to after deployment.
Partners play an important role in helping soldiers recover emotionally after serving in combat. By listening actively, respecting their privacy, expressing affection, attending counseling, being patient, taking care of themselves, learning about PTSD/depression, doing activities together, making plans, and seeking support, partners can provide a safe environment for healing while honoring soldiers' need for gradual reintegration.
How do partners support relational development while honoring soldiers' need for emotional safety and gradual reintegration?
Partners can support relational development by engaging with their significant others' experiences of war trauma and adjustment challenges and offering nonjudgmental support. They should be patient and empathetic when talking about difficult topics related to war trauma and avoid putting pressure on the soldier to discuss these issues if they are not ready to do so. Partners can also offer practical help such as childcare, home chores, or companionship during times of high stress or depression.