Newswise — While some servicemen and women at the end of their deployment will be delighted to be home for the holidays, they may also find it difficult to readjust to life with their families.
"It's important that returning troops have realistic expectations when they come home. They should know that, while it's great to be back, it's not going to be a fairytale," said Robert Marietta, M.D., an assistant professor of psychiatry at Saint Louis University and former Navy psychiatrist.
Returning service members can be under enormous pressure, recovering from injuries, finding new jobs in a tough economy and readjusting to life at home that may have altered while they've been away.
Members of the military, anxious to come home, often imagine the transition will be smooth, taking up exactly where they left off before they were deployed. They may not be prepared for the changes that greet them when they return.
"Spouses' roles may have changed," said Marietta. "Your wife may have become king of the house, or your husband may be the first person your daughter turns to when she skins her knee."
Marietta urges patience as families adjust. And, if the readjustment period becomes too rocky, veterans and their families should seek help. Trouble with jobs, relationships, alcohol and drugs and dramatic changes in behavior are all red flags that it may be time to seek help from a doctor or mental health professional.
"The biggest problem I see is a fear of appearing weak," said Marietta. "War fighters feel like they're weak if they need help, but really it's a sign of strength to hit a problem head on."
Marietta offers the following advice for servicemen and women and their families coping with readjusting to life at home:
Be willing to listen: Offer to listen to returning servicemen and women, but don't push them to talk about their experiences if they're not comfortable doing so. Let them know you're there to listen when they want to talk. Encouraging soldiers to talk about their problems can be as simple as "Hey, I'm worried about you."
Stay clear of alcohol and drugs: While soldiers may be relieved to put the hazards of war behind them as they return home, the abuse of alcohol and drugs can be a hidden danger servicemen and women overlook. "All too often, spouses and friends greet their returning loved ones with a case of beer, ready to celebrate," said Marietta. "In one case, a soldier came home from a deployment, went to a bar that night, got drunk and had a DUI. He ruined his life and his career. It's very sad and very avoidable."
Don't isolate yourself: Too often, veterans who are struggling isolate themselves, unwilling to share their problems. It's essential to seek out groups like the VFW or American Legion and stay in touch with battle buddies as a way to stay connected with others who have been through combat. This is especially important for reservists, who don't live on a base near other veterans with whom they can talk about shared experiences.
Ask for help: Marietta urges soldiers and their families to take their emotional health as seriously as they would their physical health. "Our troops need support," Marietta said. "Sometimes they can have invisible injuries; just because you can't put your hand on it or see it doesn't mean it's not a real war wound, so don't be afraid to ask for help from a mental health professional."
Established in 1836, Saint Louis University School of Medicine has the distinction of awarding the first medical degree west of the Mississippi River. The school educates physicians and biomedical scientists, conducts medical research, and provides health care on a local, national and international level. Research at the school seeks new cures and treatments in five key areas: cancer, liver disease, heart/lung disease, aging and brain disease, and infectious disease.
RSS