Soldiers experience various types of trauma during their time serving in active duty. It is natural for them to feel detached from people they know because of combat stress. This condition makes it difficult for soldiers to return to normalcy after retirement. The following are some ways that soldiers can recover from this traumatic experience and strengthen their connection to loved ones.
* Reconnecting with family members - Soldiers need to reconnect with their families to help them overcome the traumatic experiences. They must spend more time with their children, spouses, siblings, friends, parents, or relatives. This will allow them to share their feelings and thoughts, which helps build emotional bonds between them and their loved ones.
* Seeking professional help - Soldiers who have experienced trauma should seek professional assistance. Counselors or therapists can assist them in understanding why they feel disconnected and what triggers these feelings. In addition, they can provide guidance on how to rebuild relationships with their loved ones.
* Practicing empathy - Empathizing with others' feelings allows soldiers to connect better with their partners and other family members. When soldiers put themselves in someone else's shoes, they understand their feelings and become less self-absorbed. This leads to healthier communication and stronger connections.
* Setting boundaries - Soldiers must set appropriate limits when interacting with loved ones.
They could ask their partner not to interrupt them while watching a movie or playing video games. Similarly, they could tell their kids when to stop talking about specific topics. Boundaries create healthy relationships by ensuring everyone's needs are met without being intrusive or overbearing.
* Being present - It is easy for soldiers to be physically around but mentally absent due to past trauma. To repair attachment strategies, they must focus entirely on whatever activity they are doing rather than thinking of something else at the same time. Focusing on activities makes it easier to bond with people because they pay attention to each other fully.
The above steps do not guarantee that soldiers will return to normalcy after traumatic experiences, but they can improve their relationship status. With proper care, patience, and support from family and friends, they can heal from emotional withdrawal resulting from combat stress.
How do soldiers reconstruct attachment strategies after experiencing trauma-induced emotional withdrawal?
Soldiers may develop new patterns of attachment and security after experiencing trauma-induced emotional withdrawal by finding ways to reconnect with others through activities such as exercise, meditation, and therapy that help them regulate their emotions and reduce symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). They may also seek out social support from friends and family members who can provide comfort and understanding during times of difficulty.