What changes can one expect in a loved one returning from a war zone?

Question

My son will be returning from Iraq in a month. It's just for a mid-tour leave, but we are noticing changes in his behavior already. Are there any veterans that can help us to understand what to expect and what to do to ease his mind and heart?

Every single answer was helpful. I am ever grateful to all of you. You have all given me and my family a great amount of information that will help us to help him adjust. Thanks to all of the service men, wives, and all family members of our troops. God Bless

Answer 1

Everyone reacts differently to what they experience. Be there for him, and try to be understanding. Let him tell you about things that affected him and help him determine what may have had a profound impact on him.

I have a slide show that someone recently sent to me. I think it may help you to understand some of the things your son experienced and help understand some of what he may now feel. If you would like me to forward it to you, let me know. I would have to send it to you as a link.

All the best!

Michael
U.S. Army (Retired)
[e-mail]

Answer 2

My husband is always very jumpy when he returns. Things we take for granted like balloons popping or someone suddenly yelling will cause him distress. If he laughs off his behavior feel free to laugh with him. If he doesn't just a caring touch on the arm to show that you understand helps.

Showing him that you love him is a great first step. Go to the places he wants to see. Let him take the lead in activities as he may be very tired the first few days and may want to just relax with friends or family. Remember he is creating memories to last him through the rest of his tour.

Our soldiers return from Iraq different from when they left. They have seen and done things that will forever live with them. If he wants to talk about it fine, don't push him to do it though.

May you all have a wonderful mid-tour reunion and create many memories to carry you all through his deployment.

Answer 3

My husband just got out Iraq. He has had bad dreams, trouble sleeping, change in almost every aspect of his attitude. For a little while he didn't seem like the same man I married. He was incredibly short tempered for a little while and I just didn't know how I was going to live with this man. After a while when he realized he was safe and everything was going to be ok, he turned into his old self.

THe best thing you can do is comfort him and let him know that you are there for him. Even though it may be hard, you must let him do as he pleases. For my husbands parents that want to coddle him and follow him around. I must say that does not help one bit. It will only make him fill smothered during his time of leave. This should be a fun time for him. Just let him decide on what he wants to do even if it just sit around. Remember in a war zone, just sitting around without a care would b a luxury.

Tell him thank you for serving our Country for me. He is greatly appreciated

Answer 4

I am a vet from Operation Iraqi Freedom. My wife said that I changed while I was over there but I do not really feel it is as drastic as she make it out, though.

I CAN tell you that depending on what his job is over there he probably has changed in some ways. He may be more irratible or startled at sudden sounds. I had a mild case of this wen I returned. It is called PTSD and it is a result of certain conditioned responses from sounds or events experienced while over there. For example, I would catch my breathe, find myself ducking for cover from some sounds like mortar rounds going off.

Try to surround him with love and affection, let him know you all support him and if he doesn't feel like talking about what has happened over there, let him be. Try to make things as normal and everyday as possible.

If you need more help let me know and I'll get you some sites to go to on-line.

Answer 5

Sorry to examine that tale. it is fairly tough. in spite of the shown fact that curiously like a actual fake impact that ought to be resolved. i don't be attentive to something approximately your Dad yet from what you're saying, my wager is that he thinks you're turning against him. if so, you may desire to nip that interior the bud or it ought to turn undesirable. in line with probability you should attempt procuring him a cost tag to the U.S. as a peace offering. i'm fortunate that my dad and mom by no skill fairly had many problems and stayed mutually for existence. yet that became into common the place I grew up, which till at the instant became into fairly untouched via feminism. issues are changing there now too so we've become all the illnesses linked therewith. which contain divorce, a dramatic advance interior the out of wedlock beginning value, infants (greater often than not boys) being medicated for made up problems. Abortion is in straightforward terms a count of time. bypass the small pox blankets.

Answer 6

Post traumatic stress disorder can be found in many veterans retiring from war zones in high-violence areas. Also known as "shell shock," the patient can fantasize about still being in the battle field, or might sweat profusely or become immensely frightened or hysterical. Thankfully, there are treatments for this disorder, and drugs are in the experimental stage.

Answer 7

He will need some time to readjust to normal life. He will be distant at times, don't pry he will talk when he is ready, I have know Vietnam Vets who took 20 or more years to talk and then only with other Vets. He my be jumpy at noise so no fireworks to celebrate him coming home, most of all be normal around him, don't treat he any different than he was before. If you have concerns about his behavior talk to his CO if they are of a drastic change in his behavior (meaning if you think he has become unstable) it might save his and his fellow Troops lives. Thank him for his service for me and my fellow Americans.

Answer 8

You will notice changes. The best thing to do is to let him talk first. Don't ask questions like: have you killed anyone, Do you like it over there etc. Don't force him into situations that they are uncomfortable talking about. Let him know that you are willing to listen and are going to be there for him should he ever need you. Let him no that no matter what happens you will love him unconditionally. You have to have patience, kindness and understanding when it comes time for him
( when ever he decides) to talk about it. He is going to be going through a hard time he will reach out when he is ready. I myself have had 2 deployments and am getting ready for a 3. This is the best advice I can give you. Pray for him.

Answer 9

Well, my sister-in-law told me when my nephew came home, he had insomnia and nightmares (they are not used to being able to completely relax or sleep through the night), and he was tense from being under constant threat of harm.

And he was not all that social at first (not wanting to have people over, not wanting to go to parties). He needed to get back to things slowly. Thankfully, he is recovered now, but there is a level of post-traumatic stress when someone returns from a war zone. Just give him space and let him know you are there for him.

Thank you for your support of him, and for his service. Enjoy your time with him! He is a hero.

Answer 10

when my husband came back in September, he was a lot more mature. Things that interested him before he no longer liked, and vice versa. Make sure you give him his space. Dont ask a million questions at once, if he doesnt want to answer a certain one, dont pry. Let him do his thing. Oh yeah... he was extremely edgy while driving, but he got over that in a few months.

Everything will be fine =)