No, not in the pre-mob, mob, deployed, etc. sense.  Well, sort of, but more so about the emotional states that accompany each of these phases.  Deployments are a very emotional time, as anyone who has ever experienced one is well aware.  However, what many people, especially new military spouses (or those who have never faced a deployment before), don't realize is that there are definite emotional patterns that accompany them.  So, hearing about so many new deployments these days, I thought I would share what I have learned.

Deployment emotions are very similar to the stages of grief:

1.  Denial.  (”No, you aren't going.”  That was the first thing I said.  Sound familiar to anyone else?)

2.  Anger.  (Especially for those of us from the IRR, I think, but definitely present for everyone.)

3.  Bargaining (Sorry, I can't think of any good examples for this one, but it happens too.)

4.  Depression (Definitely very common during deployments.)

5.  Acceptance (Yes, eventually it is ok.)

And yes, you will go through all 5 stages, some of them more than once.  And it is ok.  That is the important thing - to realize that these stages are NORMAL and that everyone goes through them.  Take some time to be sad and to be angry.  You are entitled to it and it will pass and eventually everything will be ok.

One more thought on depression:  it is common and it is not anything to be ashamed of.  (If your family member is gone and you think that life is just perfect and are having parties, well.... I would be more worried about that.)  And if you do find that you are showing signs of clinical depression that are affecting your ability to function in your normal life, speak with your physician.  (I am very grateful to have an excellent physician; I was in for another issue and, upon finding out that Steve was deployed, she asked if I was doing ok.  I was and I am - as I told her, no more sad than I would expect to be given the circumstances - but I am glad that she was thoughtful enough to ask.  Most aren't, and they won't know unless you TELL them.)  Do remember that depression is an illness - not a weakness - and there are many treatments available that you should, by all means, take advantage of if they are indicated.  You owe it to yourself and your deployed serviceman and to your family to take the best care of yourself that you can during this time.

Hooah4Health, which is an online site focusing on health and wellness for soldiers and their families has an excellent article on deployment emotions for those who might want more information:  The Emotional Cycle of Deployment