When soldiers experience trauma, it can be difficult to communicate their feelings and emotions to their loved ones. This can lead to misunderstandings and tension within the relationship. Partners play an important role in helping soldiers maintain relational equilibrium despite trauma. Here are some ways that partners can support their soldier's mental health:
1. Listening actively: When a soldier is talking about their experiences, partners should listen attentively without interrupting or offering advice. They should show understanding and empathy for what the soldier is going through.
2. Validating emotions: Soldiers may feel ashamed, guilty, or confused about their experiences. Partners can validate these feelings by acknowledging them and letting the soldier know that they are normal reactions to traumatic events.
3. Offering support: Partners can provide practical support such as household chores, childcare, and errands while the soldier focuses on healing from trauma. They can also offer emotional support by being present and available when needed.
4. Normalizing emotions: Partners can help their soldier understand that their feelings of anxiety, fear, and anger are normal responses to trauma. They can model this behavior themselves by expressing their own emotions openly.
5. Seeking professional help: If necessary, partners can encourage their soldier to seek professional help for PTSD or other mental health issues related to trauma. They can accompany them to therapy sessions or attend couples counseling together.
Partners can also maintain a healthy level of intimacy with their soldier by setting aside time for physical touch, sexual activity, and communication outside of discussing trauma-related topics. This can help the relationship remain positive and fulfilling despite difficult circumstances.
Partners play an essential role in supporting soldiers' mental health during and after trauma. By listening actively, validating emotions, offering support, normalizing emotions, and seeking professional help when needed, partners can help maintain relational equilibrium even in challenging times.
How do partners help soldiers maintain relational equilibrium when trauma complicates emotional communication?
To begin with, it is important for both partners to understand that each individual may respond differently to stressors during military deployment. One partner may be more affected by the separation than the other due to various reasons such as personality differences, previous experiences of separation, coping strategies employed, etc. It is essential for both partners to acknowledge these differences and work together to support one another through challenging times.