Rebuilding Relational Security After Trauma Exposure
Soldiers often face intense experiences during combat that can lead to lasting effects on their mental health and personal relationships. These experiences may include operational separation, traumatic events, or emotional detachment from others.
Soldiers can learn strategies for rebuilding relational security through mindfulness practices, therapy, and communication skills training.
Operational Separation
During deployment, military personnel must separate themselves from family and friends for long periods. This experience can be challenging, causing feelings of loneliness and disconnection. To rebuild relational security after this type of separation, soldiers should prioritize consistent communication with loved ones, plan visits home, and maintain healthy routines such as exercise and hobbies.
They may benefit from practicing mindfulness techniques such as meditation or journaling to reduce stress and improve focus.
Trauma Exposure
Experiencing trauma can also affect soldiers' ability to form secure connections with others. Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) include flashbacks, nightmares, avoidance behaviors, hypervigilance, and difficulty regulating emotions. Treatment options include cognitive behavioral therapy, medications, and peer support groups. Soldiers may also find relief in creative outlets like art, music, writing, or sports.
Emotional Detachment
Some soldiers may become emotionally detached due to high-stress environments or exposure to violence. This detachment can manifest as difficulty expressing feelings, withdrawal from social situations, or impulsive behavior. Reconnecting with loved ones and engaging in healthy activities can help to rebuild relational security over time.
Seeking professional help from a licensed mental health provider can provide guidance on coping strategies and personalized treatment plans.
Rebuilding relational security requires effort and patience. With proper resources, attention, and self-care practices, soldiers can heal and strengthen their relationships after experiencing operational separation, trauma exposure, or emotional detachment. By prioritizing communication, engagement, and wellbeing, soldiers can create a safe and fulfilling environment for themselves and their loved ones.
How do soldiers rebuild relational security after experiencing operational separation, trauma exposure, or emotional detachment?
The psychological experience of returning from deployment can be described as a "traumatic reintegration" process that requires effort for all involved individuals. Soldiers who have been deployed may feel anxious, depressed, lonely, irritable, or even guilty upon their return home. They often struggle with readjusting to civilian life and find it difficult to reconnect with family members, friends, coworkers, and communities.