Do's and Don'ts List for Interactions with Returning Troops-PTSD Combat : Winning the War Within

Advice from Jennifer Iveland of the VA Vet Center and a member of the Army Reserve's 785th Combat Stress Control Company, as listed in Rochester, MN's Post-Bulletin:

Let them know you are glad they are back.
Make use of their newly acquired experience, maturity and responsibility.
Encourage their input.
Don't isolate them.
Don't force them to talk about their experience.
Don't offer your opinion about the war unless you were there.

Family members and close friends may need more detailed tips on opening lines of communication with their returning troop.

Click on 'Article Link' below tags for family resources...

Some further resources to tap into:

National Center for PTSD: Returning from the War Zone: A Guide for Families [pdf]
Turning Your Heart Toward Home Workbook [pdf]
Journal of Clinical Psychology Expert Clinical Guidelines Series: Guide for Patients and Families [pdf]
Navy's Lifelines Services Network: Combat Stress Reactions Online Video Series for Families
THRIVEnet: Guide to Listening to War Veterans for Family Members
Recommended Reading List for Military Families
Get specific questions answered via an online community.

If you know of a resource that's been a great help to you, please drop those in comments.

Labels: civilian, family, reading, reintegration

Comments are moderated. Unproductive comments will not be posted.

I have a lot of info on PTSD and substance use.

You can start with this one on the Civil War understanding.

What the Israels are up to: Aftermatth

Some new treatments due in a year or two: PTSD and the Endocannabinoid System.

Here is how I came to my current understanding what I call from Addiction to Self Medication. Is Addiction Real?

By M. Simon, at 4/13/2006 12:18:00 PM
BTW I'm in Illinois and would love to help.

You can contact me at:

msimon6808
at
yahoo
dot
com

Simon

By M. Simon, at 4/13/2006 01:10:00 PM
Thank you! I have been looking for a site like yours.

By Call Me Grandma, at 4/15/2006 09:17:00 AM
Thanks again, Simon, for your comments. I answered most of them in another thread; and I've made a note of your email addy for future IL actions!

===

Thanks, military mom, for your comment, too. I've taken a look at your awesome blog about your son's service and your experience of dealing with the ups and downs that come along with it. What a labor of love!

Please let me know if there's any issue or information you think I should share here with others. And please tell your son THANK you for his service to our country. Keeping him in my thoughts for a safe return home to you.

Military Mom's blog:
http://thedailyblabs.blogspot.com/

By ilona, at 4/15/2006 09:56:00 AM