Tips for Interviewing an Emotional Veteran:

* Have water and tissue accessible incase the veteran becomes emotional.

Q: What do you do when the interview topic or one of the interviewee's recollections leads to crying or other expressions of deep emotion?

A: There is no right answer about how to respond, beyond taking cues from the interviewee's reaction. Do not think that this result indicates a mistake on your part. In many cases, it means that you have done a good job of establishing rapport and the kind of interpersonal situation that can bring forth these recollections. However, it can sometimes be hard to "bring back" veterans who begin crying during interviews. For some individuals, this may represent a potential "loss of face." In some cases, though, you may want to step away conversationally from the interview for a few moments and talk about the power of these experiences and of storytelling. This may also enable the interviewee to put his or her face "back on." Never record someone without his or her knowledge. If they ask you to stop recording so they may collect themselves, do so by pressing the pause button and gently ease back in to more neutral topics verbally acknowledging when you begin recording again.

Q: How do you draw someone out who is reluctant to speak? How do you draw people back on track when they wander or leave the first person?

A: Here, too, there is no right answer except to take your cues from the interviewee. Sometimes when a person says, "I don't have anything to say," they are really saying, "I don't want to talk about this," or "I've decided not to be interviewed." Be respectful of that sentiment, but also offer that every person involved in the war had an important role, and we want all those stories.

The National Center for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder provides information on the effects of trauma, types of trauma and diagnosis and treatment of PTSD. Click here for more information and resources or call the NCPTSDInformation Line at (802) 296-6300.