| 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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