People United 4 Peace

Whole Family Goes to War - Trauma and Complicated Grief

Mélida Arredondo, MPH,

Submitted 01/04/07

 

 

As of June 2006, the Department of Defense calculated 1.5 million US troops had been deployed to Iraq. The majority leave a family back home. Married troops leave husbands and wives often with children who experience single parenthood for the first time. Youngsters worry and wrestle with the image of having a parent at war. Due to many of the troops being fresh out of high school, mostly parents and siblings are the ones left to mull over the empty void left by their kin.

 

It is vital to identify and communicate the familial involvement in war due to the conflicts impact on anxiety, economy and security. The nature of politics in relationship to military combat as well as societal expressions and expectations further complicate feelings of isolation, panic and fear.

During a time of unprecedented methods to maintain communication with kin who are in combat situations, technological advances combined with media coverage can leave family members distressed if there is a lack of contact. The media's penchant for a body count impacts and often cripples both Blue and Gold Star family members. Those families and Veterans who have survived past conflicts also experience anxiety related the ongoing war. Recognizing how ongoing military engagement relates to post traumatic stress disorder, social anxiety, panic disorders and complicated grief aides in being able to stem adverse psychological outcomes in returning GIs, their families and survivors of previous conflicts.

COMPLICATED GRIEF

The following is a compilation of signs and symptoms to watch for in individuals who have suffered loss and grief. A normal grieving period of time is up to 3-6 months. But close to a normal routine will usually be established within the first month. Compounded with traumatic events, complications can develop.

If you experience, or notice in others, the following signs, and are not able to work with the person to help them in moving forward with their lives, even in baby steps, please refer them to a licensed psychotherapist specializing in trauma and/or grief. The time wasted in not receiving the appropriate help could create additional problems and delay their normal stabilization and healing process.

• Over activity without a sense of loss
• Acquisition of symptoms belonging to the last illness of deceased
• Psychosomatic conditions (which are real) such as: ulcerative colitis, "spastic" colon, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma,
• Alteration in relationship to friends and relatives
• Furious hostility, anger, or rage against specific persons
• A wooden, formal or blank affect (facial expressions) or conduct (behaviors)
• Increased loss of patterns of social interaction
• Acting in unusual ways that are detrimental to social or economic survival
• Agitated depression with bitter self-accusation
• Intense separation anxiety
• Avoidance of grief
• Continued depression
• Panic attacks
• Unwilling to clear away possessions of the deceased (or
• Inability to discuss deceased without crying or voice cracking (especially after 1 yr.)
• Inability to maintain normal routine as in paying bills, arriving on time for work appointments, etc.
• Themes of loss
• Idolizes memory of the deceased or one they don't see
• Thoughts or attempts of suicide
• Thoughts of homicide
• Bereavement process taking longer than 6 months. ( Refer to licensed psychotherapist)

Any of the above symptoms at any stage indicates a temporary need for professional help. Care enough about yourself, loved ones and clients who may be grieving to consider the possibility of therapeutic intervention.

Contact your local "Network 100" Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist or Licensed Mental Health Counselor who has training with trauma and/or grief and loss. Some people may need face-to-face sessions, so the Mental Health Association, local community hotline, and internet phone directories can be utilized to obtain the names of 2-3 professionals to refer to them.

We all may need a hand extended to us without judgment or criticism. Everyone deserves to heal, with minimum suffering whenever possible.