Support in Returning Home

It can be hard coming back to ‘reality’. But then, what is reality? Having been away on tour (with the armed forces), or maybe working away in countries that are experiencing war the sense of reality changes.

How can anyone understand what’s been seen or heard? How can anyone feel the same way? Who will listen anyway?

Coming back to a family; young children, noises which are unfamiliar, or noises that trigger a response. Who can understand?

Returning home can bring anxiety, it can be lonely, the environment is different and it may be quieter. Routine is not the same and not everyone wants to know what happened.

Trauma triggers can cause flashbacks, not just distressing images, but pain, nausea, sweating; nightmares, negative thoughts and sleep problems. These negative thoughts can constantly be running through the day as a dialogue preventing any movement forward. These can leave us ‘on edge’, making it difficult to relax and prone to angry outbursts, or lead to alcohol and/or drug use. It can feel a lonely, isolating experience.

Counselling offers a space to talk and be heard. Not all counsellors have experienced the same situations, but through safe exploration, can be beside you on the journey. Through talking and exploring comes understanding. To begin to understand current ways of thinking can then help identify thoughts that are harmful or unhelpful. This can lead to a sense of control over the thoughts and fears which are associated To the experience and move more positively forward, gaining control of our thoughts.

Please speak to your GP first if any of the above are cause for concern.