For my readers who are connected with the VA, are married to a vet, or are themselves a vet, did you know that there may be a caregiver support group near you? I just learned of the group near me. I have been to one session and plan to go back. It might be something worth looking into for yourself.
My husband goes to a regular counseling session. He sees a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) through the VA system. This helps him relieve stress and helps him norm reference. He is around so few people on a regular basis that he wants to make sure his thoughts are within a normal, healthy range. His LCSW recommended the support group to me as a place I can go to be with other spouses, I believe mine is all women but I am not sure about that, who are married to combat vets or those that have injuries enough to where we are considered to be caretakers. These women have similar experiences and day-to-day struggles, worries, and joys. They have families and jobs and spouses who are injured in some way.
The group near me meets one time per month for an hour. They are enjoying each other and the group so much that they are organizing a second, less formal, lunch date for a second monthly meeting. My group meets about an hour drive from me but, I found that the drive, in the car by myself (a luxury I do not often get these days), was therapeutic in-and-of-itself.
Go to the VA Caregiver Support Program for more information.
TBI Spouse (and Others) 