Things May Have Changed… JSMART LT Kristin Somar x3566

Things May Have Changed…

JSMARTLT Kristin Somar x3566

Things May Have Changed…

• Discuss the feelings and events that take place around reunions

• Recognize the stressors that affect homecomings

• Suggestions for successful homecoming

• Suicide Awareness

• Anger Awareness & Management

• Identify helpful sources of assistance

Agenda

• Yourself

• Environment

• Family and Friends

• Significant other

• Children

• Job and Responsibilities

You may be in for a shock when you get back home, some things may have changed with...

Things May Have Changed…

… with me:

LIFESTYLEHABITS

EXPECTATIONSBEHAVIOR

Things May Have Changed…

• You can drive more than 25 MPH & access to cell phones

• You may return to a new civilian job

• You may have a new military assignment

… with my environment:

Things May Have Changed…

• What have you been doing at GTMO?

• Family expectations• May not understand

the difficulties of a GTMO deployment

• Your friends may have started new friendships that you are not a part of

… with my family/friends:

Things May Have Changed…

• He/she may be a more confident, independen

t person

• He/she may not discipline the children the same way you would

• He/she may have some anger and resentment over the loss of their personal goals and time

… with my significant other:

Things May Have Changed…

A world apart• He/she may

have changed the way the finances are handled

• Infants 0-18 Months: Anxiety, shyness, clinging to other parent, even fear

• Toddlers 18m -4 Yrs: Shy, playful, excitement, also resentful and angry

… with my children:

Things May Have Changed…

• Children 4-11 Yrs: Excitement, happiness, wanting to play and be with you

• Adolescents 12+ Yrs: Happiness and indifference, act as though your deployment did not affect them

• You may not have the same authority or responsibilities you have here

• You may go back to a different or no job

• You may be working with a mixture of new people

… with my job and responsibilities?

Things May Have Changed…

• Take time to recharge your batteries

• Do not upset others’ routine

• Do not over-commit: everyone may want a piece of you

• Approach your significant other as an equal

• Show your love and affection

• Do not expect everyone to change just because you are back

• Talk to everyone and let them know how you feel

• Understand others may not know what you did at GTMO or agree with it

Some tips to help with the transition

Things May Have Changed…

• Feeling overwhelmed• Frustration• Irritability• Depression• Guilt• Feeling emotionally numb• Concentration problems • Memory problems• Crying spells • Loss of trust

• Loss of interest• Loss of motivation• Fatigue• Sleep disturbance– Oversleeping– Trouble falling asleep– Waking up in the middle of

the night• Feeling jumpy• Flashbacks

Reactions to Operational Stress

Things May Have Changed…

Positive (+)

• Take time to Rest and Relax• Spend time with family and

friends (when ready).• Staying in contact with

friends made on deployment.

• Resume a hobby that was not available during the deployment

Negative (-)

• Excessive drinking of alcohol• Using illegal drugs• Excessive spending • Gambling• Picking fights • Driving recklessly• Increased risk taking behaviors• Isolating yourself for long

periods

Coping Skills

Things May Have Changed…