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WHAT IS A TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCE?
A traumatic experience is an event in which
an individual experiences, or witnesses, an
actual or threatened serious injury or death.
It is normal for people to experience emotional
and physical aftershocks or stress reactions
following a traumatic event. Sometimes these
aftershocks appear immediately after the event.
However, sometimes it takes a few hours, days
or even weeks before stress reactions appear.
An individual's response may include intense
fear, helplessness, or horror. Depending on
the severity of the event, the signs and symptoms
of these reactions may last a few days, several
weeks or months, or longer. The way an individual
copes with crisis depends on his or her own
history and prior experiences. Sometimes traumatic
events are so painful that professional assistance
may be necessary in order to cope with them.
WHAT IS CRISIS INTERVENTION?
Crisis intervention offers immediate, intensive
and brief professional assistance to people
who have had a traumatic experience. The purpose
is to help individuals cope and return to a
previous level of physical or emotional functioning
without being at risk of endangering themselves
or others. This short-term professional support
attempts to deal with the immediate crisis or
problem. Prompt and focused interventions help
prevent the development of a serious long-term
disability. Crisis intervention also encourages
the development of new coping skills to help
the individual function more effectively.
TYPES OF CRISES
People filter threatening experiences through
their own unique ways of thinking and feeling.
Depending on the trauma and one's "filter,"
some people may have less of a reaction while
others may develop more severe symptoms. A number
of crises may occur that can affect different
groups of people, such as students, employees,
or society as a whole. At one end of the continuum
these crises could include a strike, assault,
physical injury, accident, death, suicide, robbery,
homicide or rape. Other events that affect a
broader spectrum of people include fire, natural
disasters, riots, terrorism, and racial incidents.
Crisis intervention offers the immediate help
that an individual in crisis needs in order
to reestablish equilibrium.
SECONDARY TRAUMA
People at risk for secondary traumatization
are those other than the actual victims who
are affected by the traumatic event. This may
include friends, family and acquaintances of
the victim, or people who have simply heard
about the trauma or crisis. People who help
trauma and crisis victims are sometimes at risk
for secondary trauma as well. This may be because
of consistent exposure to human suffering and
possibly feeling responsible for the safety
of the victim.
SYMPTOMS AND REACTIONS
People whose normal lives are disturbed by
a traumatic event find that their sense of security
and safety is shattered. They also find that
their responses to life and other people are
either greatly exaggerated or no longer exist.
The following are some of the symptoms one may
encounter:
EMOTIONAL REACTIONS
Intense emotion and reactivity:
People may feel intense anxiety, pain, fear,
shame, grief, horror, anger and shock. They
may also have difficulty relaxing or falling
asleep.
Numbness: When people are overwhelmed,
they may experience shock and protect themselves
through detachment, denial and disbelief. They
may feel isolated and disconnected from people
or even from their own normal feelings.
Depression: People may have
difficulty concentrating or remembering. They
may also experience diminished interest in everyday
activities and have crying spells. A sense of
despair and hopelessness may be very evident.
Flashbacks: People often re-experience
the traumatic event over and over again. The
feeling of not having any control is heightened.
They may feel tortured by the invading thoughts
and memories.
Nightmares: These are like
flashbacks but they occur in dreams. As a result,
people may have difficulty sleeping. Re-experiencing
the trauma intensifies feelings of panic and
helplessness.
Triggering events and people:
Often, people will attempt to avoid anything
associated with the trauma. However, events
that remind them of the trauma may trigger feelings
initially triggered by the trauma itself.
POSSIBLE PHYSICAL REACTIONS:
Aches and pains such as headaches, backaches,
etc.
Weakness, dizziness, and fatigue most of the
time.
Heart palpitations, profuse sweating and chills
.
Changes in sleep patterns
.
Changes in appetite and digestive problems
.
Being easily startled by noises and/or unexpected
touch.
Increased susceptibility to allergies, colds,
and illnesses.
Increased alcohol consumption and/or substance
abuse.
HOW TO BETTER COPE
Recognize your own feelings. Also understand
that your feelings are a normal reaction to
an abnormal situation.
Talk about the experience. Talk is healing.
Reach out to friends and family for support.
Try to connect with others, especially those
who may have shared the same stressful experience.
Form a support group.
Set small realistic goals to help tackle obstacles.
Take one day at a time and be kind to yourself.
Get as much physical activity as possible.
Exercise or learn relaxation techniques or
meditation in order to relax and feel rejuvenated.
Structure you time. Schedule breaks for yourself.
Redefine your priorities and focus your energy
on them.
Get involved in something that is personally
meaningful and important every day.
Give yourself time to heal.
Give someone a hug - touching is very important.
HOW TO HELP FAMILY MEMBERS AND FRIENDS
COPE
Listen and empathize. Be supportive and non-judgmental.
Be flexible with roles and chores
.
Offer and ask for support from family, friends,
and campus community.
Respect a family member's need for privacy
and be more tolerant. Give each other space.
Set priorities and focus your attention on
them with other family members.
Give yourself and your family members time
to heal at their own pace. Make healing a
family issue.
Reassure children and the elderly. Reinforce
the feeling of safety.
Validate each other. Show appreciation, give
hugs and offer praise.
Use rituals that can reaffirm family bonds
and help the healing process (e.g., leaving
flowers at an accident site or organizing
a memorial service).
After some time has elapsed, focus and talk
about how each person has changed or grown
as a result of the experience
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