Emotional vulnerability has been associated with weakness, fragility, and failure since ancient times.
Recent research has shown that acknowledging and expressing one's feelings can be beneficial for physical health and wellbeing. This is especially true for those who have experienced traumatic events such as combat veterans. In this article, I will explore how military personnel make sense of emotional vulnerability when their survival once depended on suppressing it.
Emotion regulation is essential to survive in combat situations where life-threatening decisions need to be made quickly. Service members are trained to control their emotions and keep them hidden from others to maintain unit cohesion. They may develop emotional numbness to avoid experiencing fear or anxiety, which can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms later in life.
Many service members struggle with PTSD even without developing emotional numbness, indicating that the suppression of emotion alone cannot explain its prevalence among veterans.
Veterans experience emotional vulnerability differently depending on their individual experiences and coping mechanisms. Some may feel more comfortable talking about their feelings than others. Some may engage in risky behaviors like substance abuse or gambling to manage their emotions. Others may seek out therapy or other forms of support. Regardless of the approach taken, all veterans must find a way to process their trauma and integrate it into their lives after leaving the military.
For some veterans, emotional vulnerability means accepting and processing their emotions rather than suppressing them. This requires acknowledging negative thoughts and feelings while also recognizing positive ones. It involves reconnecting with loved ones, pursuing hobbies, and seeking professional help if needed. Veterans who have not developed healthy ways to cope with their emotions may face challenges in relationships, workplace conflicts, and mental health issues.
Emotional vulnerability is an essential part of healing for combat veterans. By allowing themselves to express their emotions openly and honestly, they can start to overcome the stigma associated with weakness and begin to live authentically again. The journey towards emotional resilience is often long and difficult but worthwhile.
How do service members make sense of emotional vulnerability when their survival once depended on suppressing it?
Despite being trained and socialized to be emotionally resilient and strong, many military veterans experience intense emotions such as anxiety, depression, guilt, fear, grief, loneliness, and PTSD upon reintegration into civilian life. The need for self-sufficiency may lead them to repress these feelings, which can cause a disruption in their relationships with family, friends, and society at large.