Soldiers play an important role in protecting their country's citizens from external threats such as wars, invasions, terrorist attacks, etc. They are also trained to face all types of challenges while serving in various situations.
They may experience severe mental health issues like anxiety and trauma after witnessing death, violence, destruction, and chaos caused by warfare. Such psychological disorders can affect them severely and lead to marital problems between soldiers and their partners.
As per a survey conducted by the National Center for PTSD, around one in five soldiers returning home suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and other mental illnesses that can have negative impacts on their personal lives. When soldiers return home, they may find it difficult to adjust to civilian life due to emotional and physical distress caused by military service. This can cause tension in their relationships with their spouses or partners. The situation becomes worse when these partners don't understand what they go through during deployment periods. It is essential to help the partner understand how they feel so that they can support them effectively.
The emotional strategies soldiers use to adapt to the changed lifestyle and relationship dynamics can vary based on their personalities, upbringings, and experiences. Some of the common strategies include:
* Communication: A good communication strategy between soldiers and partners allows them to share their feelings openly. Soldiers should be transparent about their experiences at work and talk freely about their struggles. Listening actively and empathizing with each other helps improve communication, which leads to better understanding and mutual respect.
* Reassurance: Partners must reassure their soldiers about their love and care while serving in dangerous areas. They should show concern about their safety and well-being by visiting them frequently or sending messages regularly. Soldiers should also try to reassure their partners about their safety and future plans.
* Self-care: Partners should take care of themselves physically and mentally to stay healthy and strong. They can do this by exercising regularly, eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, engaging in fun activities, etc.
* Seeking professional help: If the symptoms of anxiety or trauma persist despite trying self-help measures, it's advisable for both soldiers and partners to seek professional help from a therapist or counselor specialized in military issues.
By using these emotional strategies, soldiers can cope with psychological disorders like anxiety and trauma caused due to military service and support their partners effectively.
They need to be patient, understanding, and consistent in implementing these strategies over time.
How do soldiers adapt emotional strategies to support partners who have experienced anxiety or trauma due to military service?
When faced with the challenge of supporting a partner who has experienced anxiety or trauma related to their military service, soldiers often employ a variety of strategies to manage their own emotions and help their loved ones cope. These strategies can include active listening, offering empathy and understanding, encouraging positive self-talk, providing practical assistance when needed, avoiding blame or judgment, and seeking outside resources for professional guidance and support.