PTSD support for spouses

PTSD support for spouses
By Terri Barns, Special to Stars and Stripes
Scene, Sunday, March 2, 2008



In Spouse Calls blogger comments, one issue comes up more often than any other: Post traumatic stress disorder. Last week’s column included some of those comments from spouses with first- hand experience on the subject.

These messages are significant, both for their individuality and their similarities. Each spouse who watches a loved one suffer through the after- effects of combat has a unique experience, but there are also common feelings and frustrations:

• “This is not the person I married.”

• “He says he doesn’t want to be married any more.”

• “There is so much anger.”

• “Why is he kind to everyone but me?”

• “Am I the only one?”

I point out these similarities not to minimize the individuality of each experience, but to offer an answer to the last question: You are not alone.

There are so many questions I cannot answer, but I can point out resources for help and encouragement.

Operation Homefront is an organization created to meet needs within the military community. Meredith Leyva, a military spouse who founded the organization in 2001, recently announced an Operation Homefront program for spouses of wounded veterans.
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