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Denial: You can’t believe that this is happening, it seems unreal, like a dream. The impact of the event has not been fully absorbed.
Outrage/Anger: You are furious outraged at the event. You are hurt and may find yourself crying. You are sad and angry. You feel vulnerable and are looking at someone or something at which to direct your anger.
Working Through: This happens over time. It is the process of sorting feelings out so we can return to ‘normal’. Many different feelings may still be surfacing but there is more of a stabilization of emotions.
Resolution: This is a relative term. This does not imply that people will get over or forget about these events. What it means is that they will have worked their way into more of a regular routine.
Some Symptoms of Trauma Difficulties
The intensity and reaction to these events may vary from person to person. Individuals may be more affected by this event than others. Below, we move listed some symptoms individuals may experience. To some degree, most of us will experience these symptoms. However should a person become ‘stuck’ in these reactions or they interfere with daily life activities. In some extreme cases, these symptoms last several months after the incident.
Physical Reactions: sleep difficulties, fatigue, headaches, muscle pains, change of appetite, dizziness, rapid heart beat, and forgetfulness.
Emotional Reactions: Anxiety, feeling vulnerable, anger, easily startled, flashbacks or reliving the event, low motivation, fearful, feeling jumpy, and feeling on edge.
Other responses: nervousness, isolating, preoccupation with event, problems at work, irritability, increased conflicts with others, and moodiness.
Coping Strategies
• Encourage but do not force talking. With the intense focus on this issue, we may need our periodic breaks from this. By forcing the issue, it may increase the likelihood of feeling overwhelmed about this incident. We should all set our own comfortable pace in discussing this issue.
• Combat the feeling of helplessness by volunteering to help victims. Call 1-800- GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543). Talk to others who are willing to talk about it.
• Keep regular routines as much as possible.
• Maintain nutrition and good eating habits.
• Exercise regularly.
• Sustain good sleep habits.
If you are having continued difficulties with this event, it would be a good idea to talk with your therapist about it. He\she may be ale to give you additional support or ideas to cope with this. As the healing process continues, it is important that we support each other through this traumatic event
