Rekindling Intimacy Following Combat Deployment

Recent findings published in Research Nursing and Health examine strategies for rekindling marriage intimacy after a spouse returns home from combat dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or other mental health issues, affecting their relationship.

Lead study author Kristal Melvin noted that it's important to allow negative emotions to come and give your partner adequate space, helping them rediscover and recognize the individual needs of others and family life.

"This research contributes to the literature by providing a glimpse into the lives of Army couples who have succeeded in keeping their relationships strong in the face of deployment separation and post-traumatic stress symptoms," she concluded, in a news release. "Continued investigation of family-promoting strategies, such as those discovered in this study, provides opportunities to educate and support other couples facing military deployment separation or similar challenges."

Melvin added the importance of opening your heart and really becoming best friends with a partner following and during any traumatic times, providing trust and effective communication always between families and loved ones.

Seeking health for mental health issues is also critical during the time of recovery. Unfortunatley, statistics show that nearly half of those dealing with the health issues will not seek treatment. An estimated 7 percent of veterans will also deal with traumatic brain injury (TBI).

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