Equip yourself with the knowledge and resources you need to ensure you and your family can navigate the reintegration process as smoothly as possible.
When a Service member returns home from deployment, it can be a time of great joy and celebration. However, it can also be challenging in a variety of ways for both Service members and their families.
Along with everyone trying to reestablish roles and routines, Service members may also be dealing with difficult emotions and stress from their deployment. Some of this stress may go away after a while, but sometimes, it may last longer and require support.
Learn more about the common symptoms associated with post-deployment stress, when to seek help, and what resources are available.
Post-Deployment Stress Symptoms
All deployments, with or without combat, are significant and can affect Service members and their families in many ways. While deployed, there may be constant worry, difficulty communicating, hardships on the family back home, and more. When the deployment ends, some of those issues disappear, but new challenges may emerge.
Service members may wonder how to manage the emotional and physical strain of deployment while trying to resume responsibilities at home. Spouses may feel frustrated adjusting to a different role after building independence and creating new routines. Children may be anxious and worried about rebuilding a relationship with their Service member parent.
While all of this is normal, it’s important to understand common symptoms of post-deployment stress, as well as more serious symptoms that may require additional support.
Here are some common reactions to post-deployment stress:
- Sleep problems such as insomnia or nightmares
- Withdrawal from family, friends, or activities
- Anger or irritability
- Anxiety or excessive worry
- Reckless behavior, such as reckless driving or increased alcohol and drug use
- Restlessness or fidgety behavior
- Difficulty maintaining focus or performing daily activities
- Physical symptoms such as headaches, stomach pains, and fatigue
- Sadness and apathy
For some Service members, these symptoms are mild and go away after several weeks. But for others, these symptoms persist for much longer and may be a sign of something more serious, including:
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) — PTSD can occur after a Service member witnesses or experiences a traumatic event. Symptoms may include nightmares, flashbacks, hypervigilance, mood instability, emotional numbness, and more.
- Depression — Depression is a deep, prolonged sadness that doesn’t respond to attempts to “cheer up.” If you’re suffering from depression, you may lose interest in people and activities or have feelings of hopelessness and shame. You may have difficulty eating, periods of crying, and decreased energy.
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI) — TBIs can occur when Service members are exposed to explosive events during combat and suffer a head injury. TBIs can be mild or severe and can cause headaches, angry outbursts, slowed thinking, and more.
- Alcohol or drug abuse — Substance abuse or excessive use of alcohol or drugs can lead to financial difficulties, memory lapses, irritability, relationship troubles, and more.
- Suicidal thoughts — All thoughts of death or suicide should be taken seriously. Call the Military Crisis Line at 988 and press 1 or dial 911 immediately.
When to Seek Support
If post-deployment stress doesn’t resolve within a short period of time, or begins to interfere with your daily life, Service members and their families should consider getting help.
Too often, people think they should “tough things out” or “suck it up,” but that’s not always possible. Much like our bodies, our brains are affected by stress and trauma, and seeking help is a way to protect your health, career, and loved ones. Get the help you deserve to feel your best.
Steps to Take
When you return, it can be hard to know how to begin the reintegration process. Here are some suggestions:
- Talk to your family and friends. Your family members may be wondering how they can support you. Your children may be confused by changes to your personality. Try to open up and share what’s going on and why it’s happening so that you can all move forward together.
- Take care of yourself. When you’re experiencing difficult emotions, it’s important to eat right, exercise, and rest. Staying healthy can improve your mood and reduce your stress levels.
- Be realistic. Sometimes the expectations of a grand homecoming can interfere with the actual homecoming. It’s OK if it’s not perfect. Expect tension and miscommunication in your relationships. Expect difficult behavior in children as they readjust. Expect challenges of your own. It’s all part of the process.
- Get back into a routine. Waking up and going to bed at a consistent time, finding time for an activity you enjoy, and making time for exercise can help you manage uncertain times.
- Find a community. Military OneSource offers free, confidential peer consultations where you can discuss military life with someone who gets it.
- Practice relaxation techniques. Learn to manage your stress responses with techniques that work for you. Maybe it’s taking a walk or doing a high-intensity workout. Maybe it’s a warm bath or a calming yoga routine. Check out these free wellness apps that can help you build coping strategies.
- Reach out. You don’t have to do this alone. Counselors and trained experts can work with you to develop strategies and a treatment plan that gets you the support you need. Check out the resources below.
Resources
- TRICARE covers a variety of mental health services for conditions such as depression, PTSD, and more. Learn more about how to access care and what services are covered.
- Military OneSource confidential counseling provides Service members and their loved ones with support to address a variety of issues related to life’s challenges.
- The Military Crisis Line provides free, 24/7 crisis counseling services and mental health support for a wide range of issues. Call 988 and press 1, or you can text or chat online with a trained counselor.
- MilitaryINSTALLATIONS can help you find information on installation-related services such as chaplains, Military and Family Support Centers, and more.
- Sesame Street for Military Families offers information and resources for military families on topics such as deployment, homecomings, and more.
Equip yourself with the knowledge and resources you need to ensure you and your family can navigate the reintegration process as smoothly as possible.