Soldiers often experience trauma in the course of their duties that can have lasting impacts on their mental health and wellbeing. While many factors contribute to this, one common issue is the development of emotional detachment as a means of coping with stressful situations. Operational survival requires the ability to suppress feelings and thoughts in order to maintain focus on the task at hand, but this can lead to difficulties rebuilding emotional attunement later. How can soldiers work through these challenges?
The following paragraphs will explore the different types of emotional attunement and how they are affected by operational trauma, as well as strategies for rebuilding them after deployment. We'll also discuss the importance of seeking professional help if needed.
Types of Emotional Attunement
Emotional attunement refers to the ability to recognize and respond appropriately to the emotions of others. There are three main types: cognitive, somatic, and behavioral. Cognitive attunement involves recognizing emotional cues such as facial expressions or tone of voice, while somatic attunement involves physically mirroring another person's body language. Behavioral attunement involves acting in accordance with someone else's mood or needs.
When operational trauma has conditioned soldiers to avoid vulnerability, it can be difficult to rebuild any type of emotional attunement.
If they have learned to ignore certain physical cues from loved ones, they may not recognize when something is wrong or need attention. Similarly, if they have avoided expressing their own emotions, they may struggle to pick up on nonverbal cues from others. This can make it hard to build trust and intimacy in relationships.
Strategies for Rebuilding Emotional Attunement
Rebuilding emotional attunement requires time, patience, and effort. It starts with recognizing that there is a problem and seeking help if needed. Soldiers should start by practicing basic emotional awareness skills, such as observing their own feelings and the feelings of those around them without judgment or assumption. They can then begin to work on specific strategies for each type of attunement.
For cognitive attunement, this might involve paying closer attention to facial expressions and tone of voice during conversations. They can practice active listening and asking clarifying questions to better understand what others are feeling. Somatic attunement can be developed through mindfulness practices like yoga or meditation, which focus on tuning into the body's sensations. Behavioral attunement can be strengthened by making conscious efforts to support loved ones, even if it means setting aside personal interests or desires.
Seeking Professional Help
It's important to note that rebuilding emotional attunement after operational trauma may require professional help. Trained therapists can provide guidance and support throughout the process, helping soldiers identify patterns of behavior and develop new coping mechanisms. Many veteran organizations offer free or low-cost counseling services specifically designed for military members and their families.
Soldiers who have experienced operational trauma must take deliberate steps to rebuild emotional attunement in order to maintain healthy relationships and avoid isolation. By understanding the different types of attunement, they can develop effective strategies for each one. With time and effort, they can learn to recognize and respond appropriately to emotions again. And when needed, seeking professional help can make a world of difference in the healing journey.
How do soldiers rebuild emotional attunement when operational survival has conditioned avoidance of vulnerability?
Soldiers must first acknowledge their trauma and accept that it is a normal response to abnormal circumstances. They need to identify how the experiences have affected them emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually. This can be done through counseling, therapy, and support groups with fellow veterans who share similar experiences.