Soldiers who have been exposed to combat experience an array of psychological effects that can include anxiety, depression, flashbacks, sleep disturbances, anger, numbness, dissociation, hypervigilance, substance abuse, guilt, shame, isolation, and relationship difficulties. These symptoms often manifest themselves after returning home from deployment and may cause significant interference in their personal lives. How do soldiers rebuild relational understanding when combat exposure has fundamentally altered emotional processing? The answer lies in understanding how trauma affects the brain and developing effective coping strategies to manage it.
When a person experiences a traumatic event such as warfare, their body releases a surge of stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol into the bloodstream, which prepares them for fight or flight response. This reaction is normal and necessary for survival but can also lead to lasting changes in the brain's structure and function. The amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex are three regions responsible for regulating emotions and memory retrieval. During trauma, these areas become overactive, resulting in hyperarousal, intrusive thoughts, and difficulty regulating emotions. As a result, soldiers may struggle with trust issues, impulsivity, irritability, and social withdrawal, making it difficult to form and maintain healthy relationships.
To address this challenge, soldiers must first recognize that they need help. Seeking professional assistance through counseling or therapy can provide them with tools to cope with their feelings and process their trauma.
Mindfulness-based practices like meditation, yoga, or breathing exercises can reduce anxiety and improve focus.
Engaging in activities that promote relaxation and connection with loved ones, such as spending time outdoors or participating in sports, can foster positive interactions and alleviate isolation.
Rebuilding relational understanding after combat exposure requires acknowledging the impact of trauma on emotional processing and seeking support from professionals and peers. By developing coping strategies, soldiers can overcome the challenges associated with trauma and strengthen their personal bonds.
How do soldiers rebuild relational understanding when combat exposure has fundamentally altered emotional processing?
Soldiers may rebuild relational understanding by learning how their traumatic experiences have affected their emotions and behaviors and by seeking support from loved ones who understand their challenges. According to research, combat exposure can cause changes in emotional processing, such as hypervigilance and difficulties with emotion regulation (McCaslin et al. , 2018).