Emotional suppression is one of the most common mental health issues that veterans face after serving. It's been estimated that nearly three million American men and women have served or are currently serving in Iraq and Afghanistan alone. These individuals may experience a wide range of difficulties when they return home from deployment, including feelings of guilt, anger, depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Few studies have focused on how emotional suppression learned during service affect soldiers' ability to engage authentically at home. In this article, I will explore why emotional suppression has become such a widespread problem among military members and how it can negatively impact their personal lives.
Let's discuss what emotional suppression means for those who serve in combat. Emotional suppression refers to the practice of avoiding negative emotions like fear, sadness, grief, and anger. This can be done intentionally or unintentionally, but either way, it leads to a decreased ability to express oneself authentically.
Someone experiencing PTSD might suppress their emotions because they feel ashamed about being so upset all the time. Or they might try to hide their trauma by acting tough around friends and family members back home.
Now that we understand what emotional suppression is, let's look at why it's so prevalent among military members. One reason is that service members often feel pressure to act stoic and "strong" in order to maintain unit cohesion. They don't want their comrades to worry about them, so they bottle up their emotions instead. Another factor is that many veterans feel guilty about leaving behind loved ones while they're deployed—they may feel like they need to put on a brave face to convince everyone else that they're doing fine.
Some vets simply find it difficult to talk about their experiences with people outside of their immediate circle. They've spent years learning not to trust others, which makes opening up even more challenging.
Unfortunately, these behaviors can have serious consequences down the road. Suppressed emotions can lead to increased stress levels, anxiety, depression, and substance abuse problems. It also puts strain on relationships with spouses and children. Veterans who struggle with emotional suppression often have difficulty communicating effectively with their families, leading to misunderstandings and resentment. In addition, they may engage in risky behavior as a way of coping with their negative feelings (e.g., alcoholism or gambling).
So how can soldiers learn to engage authentically at home? The first step is recognizing that there's nothing wrong with expressing yourself emotionally. It's natural to experience fear, sadness, anger, and other negative emotions, especially after serving in a combat zone. Next, seek professional help if necessary. A therapist can teach you healthy ways to deal with your emotions without resorting to self-destructive behaviors.
Try practicing mindfulness techniques like meditation or yoga to improve your mental clarity.
Connect with support groups made up of fellow veterans who understand what you're going through—they can offer advice and encouragement when you need it most.
Emotional suppression learned during service has far-reaching implications for those who serve our country. By understanding why this problem exists and what you can do about it, you'll be better equipped to reintegrate into civilian life successfully. Remember: just because you've been through hell doesn't mean you have to go through it alone! There are resources available to help you heal from your experiences and live a happy, fulfilling life back home.
How does emotional suppression learned during service affect soldiers' ability to engage authentically at home?
Emotional suppression is a common coping mechanism for many people who experience trauma, but it can have negative consequences on one's mental health. Service members may be particularly vulnerable to experiencing traumatic events that require them to suppress their emotions in order to perform effectively on the battlefield. This can lead to difficulties connecting with loved ones and forming close relationships when they return home due to reduced empathy and an inability to fully express themselves.