Signs and symptoms
If you experience one or more of the following symptoms you may be experiencing operational stress, which is related to your battlemind:
- Withdrawal: avoiding speaking openly with friends and family, feeling that they won't understand or be interested
- Controlling at home: becoming angry about small details and the sharing of personal space
- Aggression: feeling annoyed with other people and displaying inappropriate anger
- Being on edge: feeling easily startled and having difficulty sleeping
- Excessive alcohol use
- Feelings of detachment or numbness
- Secretiveness or feelings of suspicion
- Guilt, based on deployment experiences
- Unnecessary risk taking, with particular reference to driving
- Conflict at home due to issuing orders or demands
Options
It is a fact that military personnel adjust to being back home in their own way and in their own time.
The key to a successful homecoming is to adapt your battlemind skills so that they work for you at home as effectively as they did when you were in theatre.
- Take time to reconnect and renew relationships at home
- Spend time with your friends and family
- Be prepared to provide and accept support
- Decide what you do need to control and what isn't important
- Remember that apologising is not a sign of weakness
- If you are feeling angry, think before you act: assess whether there is a real threat or not
- Talk to friends or family to get reality checks
- Participate in regular exercise
- Be aware of how much you are drinking, if you or your family & friends are concerned about the amount of alcohol being consumed then try and cut down and seek support or advice, do not treat your problems with alcohol or drugs
- Share your experiences with friends or family, unless you tell them they can't support you
- If you or others recognise that you are taking unnecessary driving risks, switch from an offensive to defensive driving style and obey traffic laws
- Family and friends are not military units, don't treat them like one
- Seek professional help and advice if you or your friends and family identify adjustment problems
Friends and family
Deployment and separations can be a positive growth experience for you and your family. However, some issues may arise that could negatively affect you or your family's wellbeing.
- Aim to balance time spent with your loved one and your friends
- Open communication is essential
- Share day-to-day responsibilities upon reunion to increase engagement, whilst understanding your loved one may need a break
- Recognise that a need for order or control may be due to his / her deployment experience, try to communicate and negotiate priorities
- Be appreciative and willing to compromise
- Be patient, emotional detachment can be common on returning from deployment
- Set aside time to spend together
- Know that mental health resources are available for you and your family
If you have serious concerns about your family or friend's mental health encourage them to seek advice or support.