Separation Tips

Separation Tips: Introduction

Tough On Families

Separation can be extremely stressful. Guard

families may experience so many different emotions

when it is time for deployment. It’s not uncommon

for everyone to feel a sense of loss, mild depression

and even anger. This is the time for families to

take a few moments to talk about what everyone is

feeling. It is a good time to determine whether more

help is needed in getting through the separation

process.

Some of the symptoms associated with separation

anxiety include:

Remember, within a few weeks, when everyone starts

to adjust to the idea of being separated, most of

these symptoms will disappear. Everyone will establish

new routines and experience normal highs and lows

associated with everyday living. Talking with family

members before deployment will help you and your

family adjust to the idea of being away.

This is a busy time for the men and women

being deployed . Your emotions range from

excitement to apprehension about the challenges

of your new assignment. It’s not unusual to have

a delayed reaction to the idea of being separated

from your family.

As your adjust to the prospects of leaving home,

you may feel:

Just like with your family, these and other emotions

will pass in a week or two. However, depending upon

the workload and pressure related to your work, a

mild depression may occur later.

The Guard Family Program has prepared

some information on how to reduce the stress of separation

as much as possible.

Click on a topic on the right for more detailed information. External links to other useful web sites are also provided.