Having trouble adjusting to life in Korea?

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class P. Behringer | Soldiers should get back to doing activities they were previously interested in, said Maj. Adrian Johnson, a behavior health officer with Company C, 302nd Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division. People going through adjustment disorders tend to isolate and shut themselves off from situations they normally would be involved in. If the Soldier feels stressed to the point where he cannot cope, then he needs to communicate with someone who he feels comfortable discussing the situation with. (U.S. Army photo illustration by Spc. Paige Behringer, 1st BCT, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs)  

CAMP HOVEY, SOUTH KOREA

05.04.2015

Story by Sgt. Samuel Northrup 

1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division

CAMP HOVEY, South Korea – He slowly looked through the photos of his friends and family back home. It was 2 p.m. on a Saturday, and he still could not get out of bed. He graduated high school six months ago and now he was in South Korea, as a Soldier. Ever since he joined the Army it seemed he was always on the move; the whole process was beginning to get to him.

He was missing the simple things from home: going to the mall, driving his car or just being able to hang out with his friends.

It is not uncommon for new Soldiers arriving in South Korea, and family members back home, to experience situations similar to the one described above.

Behavioral health professionals refer to this state of mind as adjustment disorder.

An identifiable stressor causes adjustment disorder, said Maj. Adrian Johnson, a behavior health officer with Company C, 302nd Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division.

There is something that causes stress that exceeds the individual’s ability to cope or deal with the situation.

“The Soldier is accustomed to a certain lifestyle,” said Johnson. “He is use to having certain family members with him and, for the most part, all of the identifiable stressors are known to him. He may have had some anxiety he felt going through basic, but he could still communicate with the people with a familiar language and culture.”

When Soldiers come to South Korea, they are exposed to multiple factors that can add to their stress, said Johnson.

“Many Soldiers are not accustomed to the area,” said Johnson. “When they have a free moment and go off base, they have to deal with a very different environment, everything from language to different types of stores. Some Soldiers may become emotional.”

There are things Soldiers can do to find some peace and calm, said Maj. Kevin Hovan, the chaplain for 1st ABCT. They need to make sure they are engaged with a group of people, such as a network of friends and family.

If the Soldier feels stressed to the point where he cannot cope, then he needs to communicate with someone who he feels comfortable discussing the situation with, said Johnson. Sometimes just opening up and expressing feelings regarding the problem may relieve some of the stress the Soldier is going through.

“You should also get back to doing activities you were previously interested in,” Johnson said. “People going through adjustment disorders tend to isolate and shut themselves off from situations they normally would be involved in.”

For example, a normal stress relief for some people is getting something to eat with friends after work, said Johnson. When a Soldier’s stress level exceeds the level that he can cope with, he may shut down, stop going out with friends and shut himself up in his room.

Soldiers should take advantage of the different programs available on the installations, said Hovan. There are Better Opportunity for Single Soldiers, chapel and outdoor recreation programs available. There is a myriad of things that can help pull Soldiers out of their rooms and give them something to do, especially as the weather warms up.

According to Johnson, Soldiers can help mitigate the effects of adjustment disorder by following the surgeon general’s recommendations for the performance triad: sleep, exercise and nutrition.

“Make sure you are getting the optimal sleep that you can,” Johnson said. “Optimal amount of sleep is eight hours, but if you can get six to eight hours of sleep a night you are doing pretty good in this environment. Make sure you are exercising daily. Try to eat at least two to three healthy meals a day. Three is optimal, but at least two.”

“A healthy Soldier is a ready Soldier and it impacts readiness in a positive way when you are at your optimal health. We want to be ready to fight tonight.”

• Date Taken: 05.04.2015
• Date Posted: 05.04.2015 01:56
• Story ID: 162130
• Location: CAMP HOVEY, KR