Strategies for Managing Stress After War

Managing Stress After War: Veteran's Workbook and Guide to Wellness outlines clear strategies for tackling problems such as learning healthy coping skills, sleep problems, and managing stress, anger, and depression. Written in an easy-to-understand style, this essential workbook and its companion clinician's manual were developed and refined by the authors to help veterans returning from conflicts and provide education and intervention for those who are experiencing war-related stress. Preface ix

Acknowledgments xi

INTRODUCTION 1

CHAPTER ONE Understanding Transition Stress Reactions 5

CHAPTER TWO Managing Stress 17

CHAPTER THREE Tools for Healthy Coping 27

CHAPTER FOUR Improving Sleep 41

CHAPTER FIVE Dealing with Anger 53

CHAPTER SIX Reintegrating with Society 63

CHAPTER SEVEN Reintegrating with Family and Friends 71

CHAPTER EIGHT Staying Strong 81

APPENDIX A Veteran Resource Guide 91

APPENDIX B Chapter Quizzes Answer Key 95

APPENDIX C Stress Management Handouts 103

References 107

A Personal Note from the Authors 109

Index 111

"The workbook for veterans is excellent. I would guess that some veterans could use the workbook alone with little or no professional help.I applaud the authors of this program for attempting to widen the resources available to help returning veterans cope with reintegration. I also applaud the recognition that normalizes a process that could be easily pathologized." (PsycCRITIQUES, 5/20/09)

"These guides, which are written in a manner that is suited to practitioners who may not be familiar with military experience and culture, are basic, concise, clearly written, easily understandable and pragmatic." (Journal of Psychiatric Practice, Vol 15, No. 4)

"This clinician guide and client workbook set is notable for its concreteness, clarity, practicality, and specificity. This manual is a valuable and eminently practical resource for providing a structured but flexible psycho-educational intervention for veterans of war." (Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, Winter 2009)

"Both books are intended to be used with one another and encourage an active relationship between clinician and veteran as treatment unfolds. Both books positively contribute to the burgeoning focus on treatment modalities for the country's wounded heroes. A particular strength is the inclusion of pre - and posttests that the authors recommend using before and after the administration of this intervention. Clinicians will find both books pragmatic and designed to flexibly allow them to use these in conjunction with their own preferred treatment modality." (Research on Social Work Practice, December 2008)

Julia M. Whealin, PhD, is the Deputy Director for Education and a research health scientist at the Veterans Affairs Pacific Islands Health Care System Division of the National Center for PTSD. She has published widely on a host of veterans mental health issues including combat stress, family issues, PTSD, sexual abuse, and resilience.

Lorie T. DeCarvalho, PhD, is the founder and Director of Behavioral Health Services for Adventist Health Central California Network. She has published on pain and PTSD in various scholarly, government, self-help, and general interest publications.

Edward M. Vega, PhD, is a staff psychologist in the Trauma Recovery Program of the Atlanta VA Medical Center and has worked with veterans from all eras, as well as national guards/reservists, police officers, civilian psychiatric patients, and women who are survivors of sexual and physical abuse.

A timely and practical workbook guiding veterans in managing stress and achieving a positive transition to home after service

Strategies for Managing Stress After War: Veteran's Workbook and Guide to Wellness outlines clear and straightforward strategies for tackling problems such as:

• Learning healthy coping skills

• Dealing with sleep problems

• Managing stress, anger, and depression

• Reintegrating with society and transitioning back into civilian life

• Resolving relationship difficulties

Written in an accessible, easy-to-understand style certain to appeal to a wide range of individuals, this essential workbook and its companion clinician's manual were developed and refined by the authors to help veterans returning from conflicts and provide education and intervention for those who are experiencing war-related stress. It includes homework assignments, quizzes, practical handouts, worksheets, and exercises for every skill level, as well as pre-/post-test surveys to evaluate coping skills, content knowledge, and symptoms.

The transition from the war zone is an ongoing, gradual process. This practical, easy-to-read workbook is designed to provide veterans with encouragement, advice, and support as they readjust to civilian life.