In a February interview, Barry Rosen, a former American diplomat who was held hostage during the Iran Hostage Crisis for 444 days and Hostage Aid co-founder, reflected on returning home from captivity in Iran. He described the joy of reuniting with his wife, Barbara, and young children, while also facing the ongoing challenges of reintegration and coping with PTSD, which sometimes resurfaces in daily life. Rosen credited the support of his family, his fellow hostages, and the hope of returning home for helping him endure his ordeal. He emphasized that therapy, purposeful work, and family life have been key to his healing and resilience, offering hope and guidance to others who have faced prolonged captivity.

How did you adjust to being back home from captivity? Many people assume coming home is the end of the struggle. What can you clarify about this misconception?

Coming home from captivity was at once a lovely time and a time of critical importance to my mental health. Seeing and being with Barbara and my little children gave me much joy. 

I couldn’t get over how the American public treated us a heroes, though we knew nothing  of it while in captivity. As a family, we first went off for a long vacation in Puerto Rico and felt the Sun my face for the first time in months. Through out my captivity I only was permitted outside for 15 minutes for my entire imprisonment. 

Then there was how I was or wasn’t able to integrate with the family. The children were, of course, deeply devoted to Barbara and my in-laws. As the interloper, I had to take it slow in my when relating to my daughter, who was just born two months before I left for Iran. In November of 1978. As I recall, it was a slow process and I knew that Alexander loved baseball and Ariana would follow her brother in anything he did. I made a point to go to baseball games with them during the Spring and Summer to Shea Stadium to see the Mets lose most of the time. I was all too happy to buy as much ice cream as possible  to make them feel safe with me. Slowly, we took walks in the park together making sure I was always close to them as they used the park’s slides and other equipment.

As for my relations with Barbara it was slow going. Yes, I was home, but Barbara became an outspoken representative for the hostage families when she met with the Pope, the President of France and the  Chancellor of Germany and became a personality with the media. For the first time in our marriage, she became the go to person. I had fame because I was held captive but she was the backbone of hostage families and earned the respect of the media.

In the meantime, I had to deal with my own demons. When we returned from Iran we had a brief meeting a medical team, which included psychiatrists. But unfortunately there was only one follow up a year later and then the door was closed. A long term study of the 52 of us would have been a truly important revelation of the long term effects of captivity and helpful in dealing with PTSD.

However, the U.S, Government did cover my sessions with a doctor who specialized in biofeedback that had a salutary effect, by helping me feel less traumatized, but he diagnosed me with PTSD In his communications with the medical bureaucracy in Washington. I believe that the Reagan administration didn’t want to deal with the 52 who were held hostage.

While I dealt with moments of free-floating fear I was able to deal with them because I was too busy with my career and fully involved in my family life. But there are times when the PTSD is evident, for example when dealing with the death of my mother.  Moreover, there are still many times when I feel as if I was back in Teheran. I see a therapist weekly but the hostage crisis is still part of my DNA. 

Was there anything you felt your family or friends should have done differently while you were captive?

I don’t believe my family, especially, my wife, Barbara, could have done more for me while I was in captivity. She, along with other spouses, were members of the Family Liaison Action Group (FLAG) who raised world public opinion in favor of our release. Barbara actually met with the President of France. And the Pope. The German chancellor actually designated a diplomatic representative to assist Barbara in whatever activity she pursued. And, just as importantly she used and worked with the media on a constant basis so that we were on the minds of mass public opinion in the U.S. 

Looking back, what helped you get through the toughest moments of your captivity? And what helped you get through the toughest moments after your return?

If it weren’t for my fellow hostages I could never had the wherewithal to withstand all interrogations and lockups we withstood. But, most importantly, I believe that the thought and even dreams of returning to my family, was the most important comfort in facing captivity.

Did your challenging ordeal change the way you see life or your priorities? How?

Yes, my captivity had a profound impact on me, especially how I see my fellow human beings and my respect for their lives. I felt more empathetic than ever before.

How did support of family, friends, or even strangers impact your reintegration?

If it weren’t for my family and my two young children and my wife, Barbara, I don’t believe I could have been able to deal with the after effects of captivity. While my friends were always there for me, I don’t believe they assist me in making sense of the psychological impact of captivity.

How do you evaluate the efforts made by your government during your captivity, and how did their actions affect you or your family? What did you find most helpful or lacking?

The Carter administration worked day and night to free the 52 of us, but there was little communication between family members and the State Department. In fact, State provided little information and in fact, alienated many family members.

Given the U.S. recently designated Iran as a ‘State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention’ in response to its long record of holding Americans unlawfully and amid ongoing tensions between Washington and Tehran, how do you view this step and what do you think the U.S. should be doing now to secure the release and safety of Americans still detained in Iran?

I believe the designation is a long time coming but with the conflict between the U.S and Iran ensuing, I don’t believe there will be any possibility that there will be an attempt to negotiate for the release of the Americans now held by Iran. Unfortunately, that might well be on a very short list of priorities for the U.S. right now.

As a former hostage or wrongful detainee, what did you need most at that time to continue healing and moving forward?

I felt that I needed psychological therapy and I was able to receive it for a while but I believe that it could have been extended and included family therapy.

Were there new goals, passions, or projects you were inspired to pursue since your return?

I wanted to write a book about the 444 days that I and my colleagues endured as well as the issues that my family went through during my captivity. I was able to do it and it served as a way of healing.

When you reflect on your journey, what keeps you hopeful, and what message would you like to share with other hostages about resilience and moving forward?

My family and my work concentrating on Iranian affairs has made me feel more resilient but my career in college administrations has made a positive impact.

Is there anything else you would like to share?

Working with Hostage Aid has given me an emotional and intellectual  support for other hostages who have suffered for long periods of captivity.