Serina idealized the life of a military wife: opportunity for travel, stability, adventure. But at 22 years old, she spends much of her time trying to help her husband cope with the emotional wounds of war.
“I had a painted picture of what it would be like to be an Army wife,” Serina said while taking a break from art therapy. “It’s difficult adjusting to the PTSD. I can’t say I understand. I can’t know what he’s going through. It’s a struggle sometimes.”
Her husband Ralph returned from Iraq in December of 2007. He lost his best friend and another friend was injured. It’s hard for him to find joy in the things that used to fuel him, she said. Ralph is one of the roughly ten percent of women and men returning from Iraq with post-traumatic stress disorder.
Drawing of Clint Eastwood by Ralph, a soldier in art therpay for post-traumatic stress disorder.
Now the couple seeks solace and connection in an art therapy class they are taking together at the Pathways ACCESS Center, a consumer-driven community center. Ralph and Serina were referred to the art therapy program by Peer Navigator Rich Lindsey. The Peer Navigator helps active duty military, veterans and their families navigate the many services available through Pikes Peak Behavioral Health Group and the community.
“Coming here allows us to spend quality time together outside the home,” Serina said. “It relaxes him and it’s something we enjoy doing together.”
Art Therapist Kim Nguyen said drawing and painting are effective treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder because art provides an outlet for clients to release potentially traumatic memories and reprocess the trauma in a healthy way.
Ralph has been assigned to a new post and the couple is moving from Colorado Springs. The couple feels armed with a new technique to not only fight the symptoms of PTSD, but also help nurture their relationship.
“I didn’t think it would be this hard,” Serina said with tears in her eyes. “To see the person you love struggling so much is a battle. But now, to see him be so proud of the drawings he does, I haven’t seen him like that in a long time.”