Welcome home from your military deployment! For the next few months, you may feel as if you are on an emotional rollercoaster, full of both excitement and anxiety. You may also experience feelings of resentment, disappointment, and frustration. Don’t worry–this emotional cycle is normal. The most important thing to keep in mind is that getting back into a positive routine with your spouse will take time. Things won’t be like they were before the deployment–you both have grown and changed as a result of this challenge–but you can be an even stronger couple.

After a deployment, it is common to have trouble communicating, balancing new friends, sharing control and responsibilities, and feeling emotionally close to one another. Some service members may experience mental health problems like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), so it is important to be aware of the symptoms of PTSD. As a military spouse, you may be one of the first people to notice when your loved one needs help. This Tip Sheet is intended to help you understand the issues couples often struggle with after a deployment and provide insights to help you grow even closer as a couple. (Author abstract)