Things May Have Changed… JSMART LT Kristin Somar x3566

Things May Have Changed…

JSMARTLT Kristin Somar x3566


• 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...


… with me:

LIFESTYLEHABITS

EXPECTATIONSBEHAVIOR


• 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:


• 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:


• 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:


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:


• 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?


• 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


• 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


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


Documents

Things May Have Changed… JSMART LT Kristin Somar x3566