After the War Zone: A Practical Guide for Returning Troops and Their Families

by Matthew J. Friedman PhD, Laurie B. Slone PhD

Overview

From the Director and Associate Director of the VA's National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: a highly practical, user-friendly guide that answering all conceivable questions about returning from war--for veterans and families

Two experts from the VA National Center for PTSD provide an essential resource for service members, their spouses, families, and communities, sharing what troops really experience during deployment and back home. Pinpointing the most common after-effects of war and offering strategies for troop reintegration to daily life, Drs. Friedman and Slone cover the myths and realities of homecoming; reconnecting with spouse and family; anger and adrenaline; guilt and moral dilemmas; and PTSD and other mental-health concerns. With a wealth of community and government resources, tips, and suggestions, After the War Zone is a practical guide to helping troops and their families prevent war zone stresses from having a lasting negative impact.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781600940545
Publisher:	Hachette Books
Publication date:	05/13/2008
Pages:	304
Sales rank:	426,198
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.20(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Matthew J. Friedman, M.D., Ph.D., one of the world's top trauma experts, is Executive Director of the VA National Center for PTSD and a professor at Dartmouth Medical School.

Laurie B. Slone, Ph.D., is the Associate Director for Research and Education of the VA National Center for PTSD and an assistant professor at Dartmouth Medical School.

Table of Contents

Introduction     ix
Understanding the Emotional Cycle of Deployment     1
During Deployment: Setting the Stage for Homecoming     19
Homecoming: Separating Myth from Reality     39
Understanding Battlemind     56
Common Reactions to the Trauma of War     65
Anger and the Adrenaline Train     83
Guilt and Moral Dilemmas     96
Handling Grief     106
Reconnecting with Your Partner, Children, Family, and Friends     116
Overcoming Barriers to Care     136
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder     150
Recognizing Other Mental Health Issues     171
Dealing with Injury     187
Community Support     199
For Those Facing Unique Challenges     213
A Final Note     223
Glossary     227
References     233
Resources for Troops and Their Families     241
Acknowledgments     263
Index     267

Editorial Reviews

Library Journal
"Far more than a practical guide, this is an informative, insightful, and riveting text that should be required reading for everyone because no one is left untouched by war. Essential for all libraries."
 
Minneapolis Star Tribune, 6/09/08
“Offers guidance for families and veterans as they navigate the often rocky months of reentry.”
 
VVA Veteran
"This book should be provided to every service member, National Guard member, and reservist called to active duty in a war zone…A must read for any individual, agency, or organization wanting to help our troops and their families in their transition from active duty.”
 

Library Journal, July 2011 “Includes a solid section on physical injuries and an extensive resource list.

From the Publisher

Many readers first became acutely aware of both the devastating effects of the conflicts in the Middle East and the shortcomings of our government in addressing the needs of our surviving service members through Penny Coleman's Flashback: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Suicide, and the Lessons of Vietnam(for an author interview, see www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6321458.html). Here, Friedman, a physician, and Slone (VA National Ctr. for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs) further help us understand and support our service members. They begin with a chapter titled "Understanding the Emotional Cycle of Deployment," progress through "Common Reactions to the Trauma of War," and conclude with chapters on community support and support for "those focusing unique challenges." The reader is able to share a journey with three service members and their respective families as they encounter new situations, struggles, and opportunities. Far more than a practical guide, this is an informative, insightful, and riveting text that should be required reading for everyone because no one is left untouched by war. Essential for all libraries.
—Melody Ballard

Library Journal