UNCLASSIFIED AN ARMY FORWARD ANY MISSION, ANYWHERE! UNCLASSIFIED Reunion – It’s a Process not an event. COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONSHIPS

UNCLASSIFIED AN ARMY FORWARD ANY MISSION, ANYWHERE! UNCLASSIFIED Reunion – It’s a Process not an event. WHY IS TALKING ABOUT REUNION IMPORTANT?

UNCLASSIFIED AN ARMY FORWARD ANY MISSION, ANYWHERE! UNCLASSIFIED And What A Great Time It Will Be! HONEY, I’M HOME!

UNCLASSIFIED AN ARMY FORWARD ANY MISSION, ANYWHERE! UNCLASSIFIED Yours! Mine! Ours! REUNION EXPECTATIONS

UNCLASSIFIED AN ARMY FORWARD ANY MISSION, ANYWHERE! UNCLASSIFIED THERE MAY BE A HONEYMOON PERIOD FOR A WHILE!

UNCLASSIFIED AN ARMY FORWARD ANY MISSION, ANYWHERE! UNCLASSIFIED AS THE RETURNING SOLDIER YOU MAY BE WONDERING ……

UNCLASSIFIED AN ARMY FORWARD ANY MISSION, ANYWHERE! UNCLASSIFIED SPOUSE OR LOVED ONE MAY WONDER…

UNCLASSIFIED AN ARMY FORWARD ANY MISSION, ANYWHERE! UNCLASSIFIED Change Causes Stress Everyone Is Affected By Stress How Do YOU Cope With Change? Emotions May Become Intense And Your Partner May Not Be Prepared. What’s CHANGED???

UNCLASSIFIED AN ARMY FORWARD ANY MISSION, ANYWHERE! UNCLASSIFIED Crisis or Threat Avoidance Denial Blaming others Fear Hidden Opportunity Acknowledgement Action Personal Responsibility Face it – it’s constant EXPECTATIONS OF CHANGE

UNCLASSIFIED AN ARMY FORWARD ANY MISSION, ANYWHERE! UNCLASSIFIED WE ALL HAD STRESSORS DIFFERENT TYPES OF STRESS HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCED BY THE SOLDIERS AND THEIR LOVED ONES Soldier Focused on mission downrange Family members had the day- to-day tasks plus added tasks and roles!

UNCLASSIFIED AN ARMY FORWARD ANY MISSION, ANYWHERE! UNCLASSIFIED COMBAT OPERATIONAL STRESS Changing roles and environments Normal reactions to abnormal experiences Most soldiers will experience one or more of the reactions that we will discuss These normal reactions may feel uncomfortable but, in most cases, are not a cause for concern Typically, the “common reactions” stop after 6 – 8 weeks, but no set timetable

UNCLASSIFIED AN ARMY FORWARD ANY MISSION, ANYWHERE! UNCLASSIFIED COMMON REACTIONS Feeling overwhelmed Frustration Irritability Depression Guilt Feeling emotionally numb (often described as “I just don’t feel much of anything anymore”) Concentration problems Memory problems Crying spells Sexual performance issues Loss of trust Loss of interest/motivation Fatigue Sleep disturbance Oversleeping trouble falling asleep waking up in the middle of the night nightmares Feeling jumpy Flashbacks Intrusive thoughts

UNCLASSIFIED AN ARMY FORWARD ANY MISSION, ANYWHERE! UNCLASSIFIED COMMON REACTIONS Difficulty talking about deployment experiences Difficulty readjusting to family routines Difficulty reconnecting with children and spouse Discomfort being around other people

UNCLASSIFIED AN ARMY FORWARD ANY MISSION, ANYWHERE! UNCLASSIFIED Physical Behavioral Emotional When to seek professional help STRESS DANGER SIGNALS

UNCLASSIFIED AN ARMY FORWARD ANY MISSION, ANYWHERE! UNCLASSIFIED PHYSICAL SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF DISTRESS Eating Habits Sleeping patterns Bowel problems Stomach problems Pounding Heart Dizziness Headaches ~ Migraines

UNCLASSIFIED AN ARMY FORWARD ANY MISSION, ANYWHERE! UNCLASSIFIED SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF DISTRESS Poor concentration Difficulty making decisions Flashbacks Intrusive Thoughts Nightmares Memory Loss BEHAVIORAL

UNCLASSIFIED AN ARMY FORWARD ANY MISSION, ANYWHERE! UNCLASSIFIED BEHAVIORAL SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF DISTRESS Loss of Motivation Loss of Trust “1000 yard stare” Thoughts of harming self or others Disregarding Rules ~ Laws

UNCLASSIFIED AN ARMY FORWARD ANY MISSION, ANYWHERE! UNCLASSIFIED SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF DISTRESS EMOTIONAL Frustrated, irritable, angry Worried, anxious, keyed up Guilty, ashamed Depressed Numb

UNCLASSIFIED AN ARMY FORWARD ANY MISSION, ANYWHERE! UNCLASSIFIED Talk of suicide or killing someone Relationship problems Drug or Alcohol Problems Bizarre or unusual behavior Soldiers in trouble (Art-15, UCMJ) Soldiers with financial problems OTHER WARNING SIGNS

UNCLASSIFIED AN ARMY FORWARD ANY MISSION, ANYWHERE! UNCLASSIFIED REUNION ~ it’s a process ~ not an event! POSITIVE STRATEGIES FOR COPING WITH CHANGE

UNCLASSIFIED AN ARMY FORWARD ANY MISSION, ANYWHERE! UNCLASSIFIED “POSITIVE” COPING STRATEGIES Travel Volunteer Talk about…feelings Think of the positive How we have grown! This may take a bit, but it’s worth it! Take time – go slow! Recognize Accomplishments

UNCLASSIFIED AN ARMY FORWARD ANY MISSION, ANYWHERE! UNCLASSIFIED “NEGATIVE” COPING STRATEGIES Blame and Finger Pointing Drugs and Alcohol Meaningless sexual encounters Isolation What others can you think of?

UNCLASSIFIED AN ARMY FORWARD ANY MISSION, ANYWHERE! UNCLASSIFIED “NEGATIVE” COPING STRATEGIES Dangerous or reckless activity Flaunting strength Sexual assaults

UNCLASSIFIED AN ARMY FORWARD ANY MISSION, ANYWHERE! UNCLASSIFIED Normal reactions to abnormal situations. Symptoms will likely go away. Seek help if the symptoms: Interfere with normal duties and/or daily living for more than 6-8 weeks. Involves dangerous behavior WHEN TO GET HELP

UNCLASSIFIED AN ARMY FORWARD ANY MISSION, ANYWHERE! UNCLASSIFIED WHERE TO GET HELP Peers Supervisor Chain of Command Medic/PA Medical personnel Chaplains Army Community Service Alcohol and Substance Abuse Program Social Work Service Community Health Nurses Veterans Administration County and state health department and social service agencies stateside Army One Source

UNCLASSIFIED AN ARMY FORWARD ANY MISSION, ANYWHERE! UNCLASSIFIED ANYONE NEED A BREAK? Actors wanted!!!