In today's world, many soldiers are exposed to traumatic situations while performing their duties. Whether they witness a tragic event or participate in one, these experiences can have lasting effects that affect their lives even after they return home. One such effect is the breakdown of relational communication patterns. When this happens, it becomes difficult for them to connect with family members and friends who were not present during the war or who didn't experience what they went through. This disruption makes it challenging to communicate effectively and understand each other fully. The soldiers must rebuild those communication patterns if they want to maintain healthy relationships with loved ones and avoid social isolation.
Rebuilding these patterns requires time, effort, and patience. It may take several months or years before the soldiers can feel like themselves again. During this process, they need to recognize how their previous behavior affected their relationships and make conscious efforts to change it. They also need to be patient with themselves and others as they work through the healing process.
They should seek professional help from therapists who specialize in treating PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and C-PTSD (Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). These professionals can guide them in developing coping mechanisms and techniques to improve their emotional well-being.
Another essential aspect of rebuilding relational communication patterns is being aware of triggers that cause distress. Some things remind soldiers of past trauma and lead to flashbacks or panic attacks. Avoiding such stimuli helps prevent relapses and promotes healing. Soldiers must be honest about what triggers them and work on managing them healthily.
A soldier might find watching movies about war unbearable because they evoke memories of combat trauma. In this case, avoiding war films would be beneficial until their mental state improves.
Soldiers should also engage in activities that promote connection and intimacy with family members or friends. Activities include having conversations without military jargon or sharing personal experiences. This approach enables them to build trust, empathy, and mutual understanding between parties involved.
They should practice active listening skills by acknowledging feelings without judgement or criticism.
Seeking support groups for veterans can provide an opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals who understand what they have been through and offer guidance on how best to communicate effectively.
Rebuilding broken relational communication patterns after experiencing operational stress and prolonged separation requires time, patience, professional help, awareness of triggers, and engagement in meaningful activities. By doing so, soldiers can maintain healthy relationships with loved ones and avoid social isolation while recovering from the effects of PTSD/C-PTSD.
How do soldiers rebuild relational communication patterns disrupted by operational stress and prolonged separation?
Soldiers who have been through prolonged separations from their loved ones often find it challenging to readjust to family life after returning home. Relational communication patterns are likely to be disrupted during deployment due to the absence of face-to-face interactions with family members, which can cause feelings of alienation, loneliness, and anxiety. When soldiers return home, they may struggle with expressing themselves effectively, maintaining healthy boundaries, and understanding others' perspectives.