Get it out!

"I read a study related to PTSD - - why did journalists who were embedded with combat troops fair better than the troops themselves? The study found it was because the journalists had an outlet for what they had experienced and could process it - - get it out." ~Part of Rangersgirl's response to my 5¢ Confessions post.

When Rangersgirl posted this response... I thought it was so interesting and made perfect sense! It also reminded me of a recent conversation that I had with a Vietnam Veteran. We were talking about World War II, and about how things were so much different for service members and families during that war. This gentleman spoke about how many World War II Veterans came home with issues like PTSD, but often times they were not as severe as what we see in service members today. The reason for this? During those times, service members were transported by ship. They spent a month or two at sea before returning home. And what happened during those months? They talked! They got it all out! So, by the time they actually arrived home they had done so much processing with one another that many of those Veterans felt ready to return to their families.

Now, the transition happens so quickly for most service members... they go from war to family in a matter of days. I know that flying is more practical... but if it had meant that DH had a better chance of being OK when he came home, I wouldn't have minded those extra months at sea : )