Soldiers undergo trauma that affects their emotions, moods, behaviors, perceptions, and reactions to daily life situations. This impacts their personal relationships, especially between them and their spouses/partners. Research shows that PTSD causes negative effects on marital satisfaction among couples who have served in warzones citation.
Partners may suffer from feelings of isolation, loneliness, fear, anxiety, sadness, depression, anger, frustration, resentment, confusion, and lack of control when their partners experience post-traumatic symptoms. The impact is different depending on whether they are dealing with combat veterans or civilian survivors of traumatic incidents such as natural disasters or car accidents. Partners of combat veterans face more challenges because these individuals suffer from prolonged exposure to battlefield stressors. They tend to be more distant, detached, aggressive, suspicious, controlling, impulsive, secretive, anxious, hypervigilant, volatile, impatient, irritable, depressed, hopeless, apathetic, unmotivated, selfish, insensitive, and inconsiderate than partners of non-combat veterans.
They may act like they do not care about family members. Their temperament also changes from calm and quiet to explosive and angry. Such behavioral changes can cause partners to feel rejected and isolated. It creates a gap and distance between them, leading to misunderstandings, miscommunications, mistrust, anger, jealousy, infidelity, abuse, and divorce. In addition, the victims may find themselves feeling guilty for being unable to help their partners deal with the issues due to limited knowledge about PTSD treatment. Thus, they become emotionally drained and physically exhausted as they try to manage daily tasks without assistance from their partner.
The effects of PTSD on emotional engagement between couples require effective communication skills. Research shows that partners who communicate effectively handle conflict in healthier ways and maintain stable relationships citation. When one partner exhibits symptoms of PTSD, it is essential for both parties to openly discuss the issue's impact on their relationship, including past experiences, feelings, thoughts, beliefs, goals, roles, responsibilities, intimacy, trust, honesty, and vulnerability. They should also explore strategies that enhance mutual understanding and collaboration. Opening up helps them understand each other better by creating a safe environment where they can share honest feelings, opinions, concerns, challenges, and needs. Partners must be patient, supportive, and respectful when dealing with their loved ones who are suffering from PTSD. They need to offer comfort, encouragement, and compassion while seeking professional help. This way, they can improve trust and rebuild intimacy after the trauma.
Researchers argue that partners of combat veterans tend to blame themselves for their spouse's unpredictable emotions and behaviors. They feel responsible for handling their emotions and actions.
Such expectations create a burden that leads to resentment, frustration, anger, anxiety, depression, sadness, and guilt. It makes them feel like failures when they cannot solve their problems or save their partners from negative mood swings. Thus, they need to accept that these symptoms are beyond their control and seek professional assistance. Couples should also recognize that post-traumatic symptoms may change over time as treatment progresses and learn how to adjust accordingly.
They could set realistic boundaries, avoid conflict triggers, focus on positive communication, practice self-care, prioritize quality time together, and engage in leisure activities that promote intimacy.
How do partners sustain relational engagement when soldiers' emotional states are unpredictable and influenced by post-traumatic symptoms?
Partners of military personnel with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) face numerous challenges due to their loved ones' emotional volatility and unpredictability caused by this condition. One significant challenge is sustaining meaningful and healthy relationships since partners may experience difficulties understanding, communicating, and connecting emotionally with each other. This can lead to feelings of isolation, frustration, and resentment, which further complicate the situation.