Leaving Well? Get a Proper Debriefing:
Avoid or Deal with Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome
Many agencies and companies are ill-equipped to address issues of Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome, Debriefing, and Culture Shock as experienced in Afghanistan.
It is important for your mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health to leave Afghanistan well by appropriate processing.
Leaving well will enable you to take the best of your experience in Afghanistan and "leave" those experiences, emotions, and fears behind you, so you can more easily transition back to your home culture.
Key Issues to Consider to Leave Afghanistan Well:
(check back frequently as I'll be uploading these pages shortly)
- Post Traumatic Stress Symptoms (See discussion below)
- Debriefing
- Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD - this debriefing is most effective if done within 48 hours of a traumatic event. However, still request this from a person trained in CISD even if it is weeks/months after the event.
- Psychological Debriefing
- Culture Shock
- Leaving well: Miscellaneous tips
Here is a recommended debriefing form. Ideally, you would be able to write this out and talk through it with a "neutral" listener.
This could be someone from a completely different company, a good friend, someone who is empathetic but make sure it is someone not involved in any managerial decision making over you.
Another common issue experienced in Afghanistan is major culture shock. If not dealt with, and appropriate coping strategies developed, it can lead to post traumatic stress syndrome.
So here is a short discussion on Culture Shock in terms of Afghanistan. If you are experiencing culture shock elsewhere in the world, you may still find this helpful.
Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome
What is is:
Post Traumatic Stress Symptoms
Post Traumatic Stress Treatment
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