Post 295 Family Support Group

Our mission is simple:  provide a sympathetic ear, emotional & physical support to family members with dealing PTSD in the family.


Finding out that you are not the only one affected could provide support during rough times.


The support group begins with providing emotional support and relaxation methods to deal with the stressors of everyday life. Should the resources be available we will work with veterans to find them the resources they need to survive.


Our goal is to coordinate with have the MD Dept of Veterans Affairs to assist those in need with finding assistance.


Relaxation techniques can provide some relief when dealing with stress, loneliness and trauma. We will work with area providers to provide instruction on those techniques.




Our mission is simple:  provide a sympathetic ear, emotional & physical support to family members with dealing PTSD in the family.


Finding out that you are not the only one affected could provide support during rough times.


The support group begins with providing emotional support and relaxation methods to deal with the stressors of everyday life. Should the resources be available we will work with veterans to find them the resources they need to survive.


Our goal is to coordinate with have the MD Dept of Veterans Affairs to assist those in need with finding assistance.


Relaxation techniques can provide some relief when dealing with stress, loneliness and trauma. We will work with area providers to provide instruction on those techniques.




Our mission is simple:  provide a sympathetic ear, emotional & physical support to family members with dealing PTSD in the family.


Finding out that you are not the only one affected could provide support during rough times.


The support group begins with providing emotional support and relaxation methods to deal with the stressors of everyday life. Should the resources be available we will work with veterans to find them the resources they need to survive.


Our goal is to coordinate with have the MD Dept of Veterans Affairs to assist those in need with finding assistance.


Relaxation techniques can provide some relief when dealing with stress, loneliness and trauma. We will work with area providers to provide instruction on those techniques.




Our mission is simple:  provide a sympathetic ear, emotional & physical support to family members with dealing PTSD in the family.


Finding out that you are not the only one affected could provide support during rough times.


The support group begins with providing emotional support and relaxation methods to deal with the stressors of everyday life. Should the resources be available we will work with veterans to find them the resources they need to survive.


Our goal is to coordinate with have the MD Dept of Veterans Affairs to assist those in need with finding assistance.


Relaxation techniques can provide some relief when dealing with stress, loneliness and trauma. We will work with area providers to provide instruction on those techniques.
Veterans Adminstration Program: PTSD 101 is a web-based curriculum that offers courses related to PTSD and trauma.
US Department of Veterans Affairs On-Line Course for Professionals (or in our opinion those interested learning as much as they can to help a loved one with PTSD.)
PTSD 101 is a web-based curriculum that offers courses related to PTSD and trauma. The goal is to develop or enhance practitioner knowledge of trauma and its treatment. Continuing education (CE) credits are available for most courses -- newer courses will offer CEs soon.
PTSD 101 is:
  • presented by a faculty of recognized experts in the field of traumatic stress.
  • developed specifically for busy clinicians who provide services to individuals who have experienced trauma.
  • appropriate for both seasoned PTSD professionals and those new to PTSD treatment or military personnel.
RETURNING FROM THE WAR ZONE
Click here to download your copy

Created by experts at the National Center for PTSD, 2006


A Guide for Families of Military Members

Download a copy here



The days and weeks after a homecoming from war can be filled with excitement, relief, and many other feelings. This guide is for military family members, like you. 


This guide is also helpful for friends and returning veterans themselves. Following the veterans return from overseas duty, the entire family will go through a transition. This guide will help each of you understand readjustment during homecoming.

Reintegration following homecoming involves taking time for the veteran, family and friends to become reacquainted. Talk and listen to one another to restore trust, support and closeness.


There may be times when you and your returning veteran feel stress, uncertainty, concern, and distance from one another. It may feel as if the service member is still fighting a war, rather than truly being home. All of these emotions are a normal part of readjustment following deployment to a war zone.


At first, these reactions may be difficult to deal with. Some service members have real difficulties and struggle during their transitions back home. Because many service members face redeployment back to overseas duty, it is especially important to address these difficulties during this time back home. Learning more can help your family cope. 


In this guide you will learn about: What help is available and what it involves a common expectation is that the family will be exactly the same as it was before the deployment. 


However, during deployment families naturally change. Children have grown and spouses have taken on new responsibilities. New friendships may have formed. War zone exposure is a life changing experience for those deployed. Understanding what you might expect will help with the transition back to civilian life. In this guide you will learn ways to  cope better, and if problems arise, ways to find assistance.

Creating Resilient Warriors through Transcendental Meditation

Transcendental Meditation Program 
WASHINGTON DC / BETHESDA

Creating Resilient Warriors through Transcendental Meditation

The Transcendental Meditation technique is a simple and easily implementable approach for holistically developing soldier well-being. Hundreds of peer-reviewed studies and tens of millions of dollars in funding from the National Institutes of Health reveal the technique’s efficacy for improving the five areas described in the Comprehensive Soldier Fitness Program. Findings include:

1

Physical health: Reducing stress and stress-related illness and improving overall health and longevity (see Cardiovascular Disease, Decreased Healthcare Utilization,Resistance to Stress, and Peak Performance)

2

Emotional health: Reducing anxiety and depression and increasing contentment, integrity, and ability to resist peer pressure (see Emotional Health and Spiritual Health)

3

Social and family health: Increasing tolerance and improving personal and family relationships (see Social Health)

4

Spiritual: Increasing self-confidence, moral maturity, and self-actualization—allowing the soldier to deeply connect with his or her own internal compass as a guide throughout life (see Spiritual Health)

For more information please call (301) 770-5690 or visit Bethesda TM Center.
TIPS FOR COPING
With homecoming, you may need to re-learn how to feel safe, comfortable, and trusting with your family. You must get to know one another again. Good communication with your partner, children, par­ents, siblings, friends, coworkers, and others is the key. Give each other the chance to understand what you have been through. When talking as a family, be care­ful to listen to one another. Families work best when there is respect for one another, and a willingness to be open and consider alternatives.It’s fine for you to spend some time alone. But, if you spend too much time alone or avoid social gath­erings, you will be isolated from family and friends. You need the support of these people for a healthy adjustment.You can help yourself to feel better by:
  • Getting back to regular patterns of sleep and exercise
  • Pursuing hobbies and creative activities
  • Planning sufficient R&R and intimate time
  • Trying relaxation techniques (meditation, breathing exercises) to reduce stress
  • Learning to recognize problems to watch out for and how to cope with them
  • Striking a balance between staying connected with former war buddies and spending individual time with your partner, kids, other family members, and friends
  • Communicating more than the “need-to-know” bare facts
  • Talking about your war zone feeling depressed or to avoid disturbing memories. Drink responsibly, or don’t drink
  • Creating realistic workloads for home, school, and work


Steps to Assuming Normal Routines

If you have recently been deployed, soon after your return, plan to have an open and honest discussion with your family about responsibili­ties. You all need to decide how they should be split up now that you’re home. It’s usually best to take on a few tasks at first and then more as you grow accus­tomed to being home. Be willing to compromise so that both you and your family members feel your needs are understood and respected.Try to re-establish a normal sleep routine as quickly as possible. Go to bed and get up at the same time every day. Do not drink to help yourself sleep. You might try learning some relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, yoga, or meditation.


Steps to Controlling Anger

Recognize and try to control your angry feelings. Returning service members don’t always realize how angry they are. In fact, you may only recognize your emotion when someone close to you points it out. You can help control your anger by:
  • Counting to 10 or 20 before reacting
  • Figuring out the cues or situations that trigger your anger so you can be better prepared
  • Learning relaxation techniques (breathing, yoga, meditation)
  • Learning ways to deal with irritation and frustration and how not to be provoked into aggressive behavior
  • Walking away
  • Thinking about the ultimate consequences of your responses
  • Writing things down


Important Points to Remember

Readjusting to civilian life takes time — don’t worry that you’re experiencing some challenges. Find solutions to these problems. Don’t avoid.
  • Take your time adding responsibilities and activities back into your life
  • Reconnect with your social supports. This may be the last thing you feel like doing, but do it anyway. Social support is critical to successful reintegration
  • Review BATTLEMIND to understand where some of your automatic behaviors come from
  • Remind your loved ones that you love them
  • Realize that you may need to talk about the experiences you had with a chaplain or counselor