PRE-deployment trauma stress disorder?

[Raychel]

My boyfriend came home for his 14 days of pre-deployment leave and it was great. No fighting or anything. When he got back, he started pulling away and acting really weird. He told me today he was going to talk to his chaplain tomorrow. I told him my theory, "Maybe you're getting into the war mindset.. a little too early" and he said that it's called, "pre-deployment trauma disorder" or something along those lines.. Okay...

And then he said, "I've just been blank lately baby.." And i said, "About leaving?" And he goes, "About work.. life"


What am I supposed to say to that? Of course I supported fully his decision to go see his chaplain.. but of course, I only know as much as any civvie would know, what he's going through..

Also, is this a precursor to PTSD when he comes home?

[hannahb]

omgosh i dont know i hope you guys get this worked out, im sorry you have to go through it

[Am]

I've never heard of that but I certainly think it's a good idea for him to talk to anyone who might be able to him. It's normal for him to pull away.

[Raychel]

Originally Posted by CarolinaHokie I've never heard of that but I certainly think it's a good idea for him to talk to anyone who might be able to him. It's normal for him to pull away.

I think it's just like.. being stressed about leaving. It is his first deployment and, according to him, it's normal for soldiers on their first deployment to be like this. Which makes sense, I guess.

[Am]

Originally Posted by Raychel I think it's just like.. being stressed about leaving. It is his first deployment and, according to him, it's normal for soldiers on their first deployment to be like this. Which makes sense, I guess.

Stress before leaving, him pulling away, and most other feelings are normal for both of you right now. I just meant that I've never heard it called that but it doesn't mean that it doesn't exist. You can do this. BOTH of you.

[Songtan Sally]

Stress, yes. Trauma? Oh **** no. I have no words.

[Raychel]

Originally Posted by CarolinaHokie Stress before leaving, him pulling away, and most other feelings are normal for both of you right now. I just meant that I've never heard it called that but it doesn't mean that it doesn't exist. You can do this. BOTH of you.

Thanks for the hugs. I asked him if there was anything I could do.. and he said no. It just kinda hurts, you know? For there not to be anything to do. Other than be a little more patient and understanding.

[Am]

Originally Posted by Songtan Sally Stress, yes. Trauma? Oh **** no. I have no words.

Down girl.

[Songtan Sally]

Seriously.

From dictionary.com:

Trauma
1. Pathology.
a. a body wound or shock produced by sudden physical injury, as from violence or accident.
b. the condition produced by this; traumatism.
2. Psychiatry.
a. an experience that produces psychological injury or pain.
b. the psychological injury so caused.

I fail to see how training is traumatic.

[Geotech]

From someone who has been through pre-d, it's just nerves and mentally wrapping one's head around everything, it's nothing close to ptsd. I wish people wouldn't self issue mental illnesses, leave it to the professionals.