Not everyone who returns from the military has seen real warfare, and even those that have may not always have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Unfortunately, soldiers who have seen combat and suffered mentally and physically because of those experiences often find it extremely difficult to cope with regular society again.
Whether you are looking to find an old relative with whom the family has lost contact with for a long time, or are just planning to welcome your husband home soon, go through the following tips which will help you just as much as they will help them to cope with it all.
Find Them First with a Military People Finder
If someone is not MIA or KIA according to the military records, and you have confirmation from the US military that they returned to the States a while ago, then the task would be to find them first. It isn’t uncommon for veterans to not return home, and instead stay aloof in a secluded part of the country. This is a definite sign of PTSD, and that they may need immediate attention.
Use the military people finder on Public Records Reviews to find the person first. This people finder website is well known for helping relatives, friends and family members track down their loved ones, even if the US military refuses/chooses to disclose the veteran’s whereabouts.
Rest assured that it’s a secured people finder site, which means that all your search results will stay private, but you could always use a VPN for added security. Additionally, using a military people finder doesn’t violate any US laws when people are only trying to track down a veteran family member or friend who has served the country and returned home, only to get lost among the millions.
Create a Peaceful Environment
If someone is returning to civilian life after a long time without any physical harm, you will still not be able to tell what they have seen and faced. On the other hand, if they have lost a limb, or have suffered a severe injury, PTSD is almost always going to come home with the wounded soldier.
In either situation, try to create a peaceful home environment for them to rest and get used to. Big parties, a large gathering of people and loud music are all bad ideas. They might have liked them before leaving home, but it will take them a long time to come to terms with their civilian life again. In the meanwhile, keep things as peaceful as possible at home, and hide all weapons from their reach.
PTSD can manifest itself as panic, anxiety, overreaction, flashbacks, sudden moves, etc. on being stimulated by something similar to what they had experienced back during their time in the service. Make no mistake, these can be quite jarring for both parties and even in some cases, extremely dangerous, especially if the afflicted veteran has access to a weapon.
The Other Signs of PTSD That are Less Obvious
Although triggered post-traumatic stress disorder can be dangerous, it’s still something recognizable and avoidable. However, there are other signs of PTSD which are less obvious and may not even need a trigger. Take note of the following signs and understand the fact that if they are being exhibited on a continuous basis by an ex-soldier, it will need to be reported and professional help must be sought before deciding on further steps:
- Random anger management issues with a quick temper, often followed by acts of verbal or physical abuse
- Extra strict disciplinary behavior, often followed by verbal and/or physical abuse on being disobeyed, or for following instructions inadequately
- Threats and acts of violence that seem way out of proportion, in respect to the incident
- Controlling nature, often implemented by verbal/physical violence
- Resentment and dissatisfaction with everything; verbal and physical displays of the same
- Distrust, suspicion, hypersensitivity and constant paranoia
Dealing and adjusting with the perils of a traumatized ex-soldier can be challenging for those at home. So, do keep that in mind and prepare accordingly before inviting a veteran home. The good news is that setting aside a few instances, most military veterans only suffer from only minor cases of PTSD.
Given enough time, the proper support and professional counseling, these tough men and women of war do often get over their past eventually. It may still linger in some parts of their memory, but it is indeed possible to overcome most cases of military PTSD, with the right system in place. If, however, they begin to act physically violent, it is best to alert the authorities and consult with a military psychiatrist for deciding on further steps towards how to handle the situation.
0
0
