The strategies that can help veterans restore their relational and sexual identities after deployment include seeking professional support from mental health providers who specialize in trauma and PTSD, communicating openly and honestly with partners about their experiences during deployment and how they have changed them, focusing on rebuilding trust and connection through activities such as date nights, setting boundaries around intimacy to create a safe space for healing, engaging in physical and emotional self-care practices to manage anxiety and stress, exploring new ways to express affection and intimacy outside of traditional forms, and building a strong network of social support.
Strategies 1
Seeking Professional Support
Veterans may benefit from seeking professional support from mental health providers who specialize in trauma and PTSD. This can help them process their experiences and develop coping mechanisms to deal with their symptoms more effectively. Therapy can also provide a safe and confidential space for veterans to explore their thoughts and feelings related to sexual identity, intimacy, and relationships. Cognitive behavioral therapy, exposure therapy, and EMDR are some types of evidence-based treatments that may be helpful in addressing trauma and PTSD.
Communication
Open and honest communication with partners is crucial in restoring relational and sexual identity after deployment. Veterans should share what has changed for them during deployment and how it impacted their relationships, as well as any concerns or fears they may have about intimacy and closeness. Partners should also be willing to listen and empathize without judgment, and work together to find solutions that meet both parties' needs.
Date Nights
Dates can be an effective way to rebuild trust and connection between partners. Setting aside time to focus solely on each other, away from daily responsibilities and distractions, can help create a sense of intimacy and vulnerability that is essential for healing. Activities such as going out to dinner, taking walks, or engaging in hobbies together can create opportunities for laughter, playfulness, and shared experiences that foster emotional connection.
Boundaries
Setting boundaries around intimacy can create a safe space for healing by allowing veterans to express themselves openly while still feeling secure and supported. This might include establishing rules around touch, physical contact, and discussions about past experiences related to sex and intimacy.
Self-Care Practices
Engaging in physical and emotional self-care practices, such as exercise, meditation, journaling, or art therapy, can help manage anxiety and stress associated with trauma. These activities can provide a sense of control over one's own body and mind, and allow veterans to reconnect with their physical and emotional selves in new ways.
Exploring New Ways to Express Intimacy
Veterans may want to explore new forms of affection and intimacy outside of traditional romantic relationships, such as platonic friendships, hobbies, or spiritual practices. This can help them expand their understanding of what it means to be close and connected to others and develop new patterns of relating based on their unique needs and desires.
Building Social Support
Building a strong network of social support, including family members, friends, colleagues, and community organizations, can provide emotional validation and encouragement throughout the process of restoring relational and sexual identity after deployment. This support system can offer a sense of belonging and connection that is vital for healing and resilience.
Restoring relational and sexual identity after deployment requires time, effort, and willingness to seek professional support, communicate openly and honestly, engage in self-care practices, explore new forms of intimacy, and build a strong network of social support. With patience and persistence, veterans can regain a sense of connection and closeness with partners that honors both their past experiences and present realities.
What strategies help veterans restore relational and sexual identity after deployment?
According to researchers at UCLA's Center for Veteran Transition Studies, veterans who seek professional mental health services after returning from deployment may experience difficulty restoring their social identities, including those related to relationships with family members, peers, and romantic partners.