I started thinking about this topic earlier this week after speaking with a few military wives. I have been a military spouse for over 7 years. I have seen tons of soldiers, mostly those that have been deployed to a war zone, be diagnosed with
sleep disorders, anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other mental health conditions. I am sure this number will likely continue to increase being that we are fighting multiple wars. I know that the Army, and I'm sure other branches of the military, have started to take notice and have implemented programs and services for soldiers to get counseling and deal with their issues. But where does this leave the spouses?
I have met lots of military spouses, even through forums on websites created to establish a network of moms/wives and girlfriends/fiances in the military community. I have noticed that lots of them have to take meds while coping with a deployment, or multiple deployments, or some other issues that have come to a head in their lives via the military. Yes, we all have issues in our marriages, some big some small. But if you are a civilian and have never lived the military life, trust me, you have no idea. Out of the seven years of my marriage my husband has been gone for about 4 years! Although, I have not had to take meds to deal with his abscence during those times, I can see how many people have to. Taking on ALL things "husbandy" for a year to 15 months in some cases, and suddenly turning into MIGHTY MOM can put a lot of stress on a person. Also, coupled with uprooting your family from one foreign place to another every 3 or so years, in my current case, overseas in Hawaii, with no family and having to make friends all over again is a big stressor. I know that there is sometimes a stigma associated with a soldier who seeks mental health treatment so I imagine that may be the case when the spouse seeks treatment.
I have decided to do some research on this subject for a future post to discover resources that are currently available for military spouses who are having to go through this difficult journey. If you know of some resources please feel free to share them with me, even anonymously if you choose. Also, if you are a military spouse going through this I would love to talk to you about your experience. Feel free to comment!
I think what you are doing is commendable! That is such a great idea. I look forward to reading what you find. I personally don't know of any women in your situation, but if I should meet anyone, I will inform them of your plight.
ReplyDeleteMy dad was in the military. So, I saw my mother routinely fall apart at the seams, and us kids had a hard time coping as well. While he was never deployed, he was gone a lot of the time. I can only imagine how difficult it would be to have a husband or a father deployed to a war zone. This is an awesome idea, I'm sure there are a lot of people that would be helped by it.
ReplyDeletexx
Thank you so much for your input!
ReplyDelete@Christie I totally get what you are saying. I see it all the time and I am sorry your family experienced this.
@Mandeek...thanx a bunch especially for passing the word along!!!....although I must clear up that I myself am not going through this situation I just know of a lot of ppl that are....hope to see u guys back again and I look forward to reading your blogs!
Oh, I'm sorry... misunderstood. I am glad to hear you handling your situation well, then. :) Still, this is a fantastic think that you are doing.
ReplyDeleteI know the base I'm at (lewis-mcchord), has mental health help available for spouses and children, for free, but its so far away and hidden its like they are embarrassed by it. I think mental health and getting treatment has a big stigma in the army.
ReplyDeleteoh no worries! thanks again!
ReplyDeleteYes please do ...I will be waiting for your post on this as I know this situation all to well.
ReplyDeleteGood informative post!
I am a mom of a Marine who has deployed once and is leaving for Afghanistan at the end of August. I was diagnosed with post trumatic stress syndrome...and nothing has even happened. Its horrible. I feel lost, I feel like I will never see my son again, and I feel like when he leaves, I will fall apart. I currently take wellbutrin, and have other anti depressents that either put weight on me, or didn't work at all. I know I am not alone. But it sure feels like it.
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