Soldiers often have to deal with feelings of anxiety, stress, depression, anger, fear, and other negative emotions that arise from their experiences during military service.
Many are also affected by a less commonly discussed issue - the emotional impact of these experiences on their loved ones back home. Partners of active duty military members can suffer from what is known as secondary trauma, which occurs when they witness the pain and suffering of someone else's experience and internalize it themselves. This can lead to a range of psychological problems, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
To manage this situation, soldiers may need to adjust their expectations for how their partners will react to their experiences. They may need to be more open and honest about what they went through while deployed, but also recognize that their partner may struggle to understand or relate to their experiences. It's important for soldiers to avoid placing blame on their partner for not being able to comprehend or support them fully, and instead seek out additional resources such as therapy or counseling to help them both cope.
Maintaining clear boundaries around sensitive topics and providing regular updates on their wellbeing can help prevent misunderstandings and resentment. By addressing the emotional impact of deployment together, couples can work towards building stronger relationships that are better equipped to handle future challenges.
While managing the emotional fallout of combat can be difficult for anyone, it's essential that soldiers prioritize self-care to ensure they can adequately support their partner in the long term. Taking breaks from stressful situations, engaging in physical activity, seeking professional help, and practicing relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation can all help reduce tension and improve overall mental health.
Effective communication, mutual understanding, and patience are key to navigating the unique emotional challenges that come with military service.
How do soldiers manage emotional expectations when partners experience secondary trauma from their service?
The emotions that are experienced by the family members of soldiers can be challenging for both parties involved. It is common for individuals who have served in combat to experience posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which may manifest itself through symptoms such as nightmares, flashbacks, and hypervigilance.