Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Janet Stead.... Monday, 07 January 2008, having attended a course, I thought I would share what I learnt.
This is a normal reaction to an abnormal event. Falling apart is normal, not abnormal.
Victims often shy away from professionals immediately after a stressful event. They may fail to recognise the limits of their own resources and that problems have become entrenched and may engage in other potentially damaging coping strategies. Also their ability to seek help may be reduced by their severe distress.
Early intervention within days after the event, if possible even if it is just to establish contact with the victim.
Psychological help needs to accompany practical help and advocacy (income, recovery of possessions, contact with family and employers, legal aid, housing etc.)
Information for victim (about loved ones, covictims) and between mental health services, emergency service and military and police needs to be available.
Sympathetic listening is often a primary component of therapy and an emphasis on the patient being a normal person being exposed to an abnormal event with understandable normal responses, may reassure the patient.
Initial denial and numbing and later mood swings, irritability and anger as well as sadness are normal.
Nature heals through allowing these feelings to come out. This will not lead to loss of control of the mind but stopping these feelings may lead to nervous and physical problems. Crying gives relief.
Natural reactions and behaviours
Numbness -your mind may allow the misfortune to be felt only slowly. At first you may feel numb. The event may seem unreal, like a dream, something that has not really happened. People often see this wrongly either as ‘being strong’ or ‘uncaring’
Activity – To be active, to help and give to others may give some relief. However, over-activity is detrimental if you overtire yourself of divert attention from the help you need for yourself.
Support – It is a relief to receive other people’s physical and emotional support. Do not reject it. Sharing with others who have had similar experiences feels good. Barriers can break down and closer relationships develop.
Privacy – In order to deal with feelings, you will find it necessary at times to be alone or just with family and close friends.
Going away – You may feel like going away to try to forget it all. Trips away can he helpful but are unlikely to allow you to forget everything. It may be necessary to confront (to feel and work through) the emotions the trauma has caused before you can put it behind you.
Some do’s and don’ts
Don’t bottle up feelings.
Do express your emotions. Children should be allowed to share grief if they have suffered a loss
Don’t avoid talking about what happened
Do take every opportunity to review the experience within yourself and with others.
Don’t let your embarrassment stop you giving others the chance to talk.
Do allow yourself to be part of a group of people who care.
Don’t expect the memories to go away quickly – the feelings may stay with you for a long time to come.
Do take time out to sleep, rest, think and be with your close family and friends
Do drive more carefully
Do be more careful around the home and with machinery
Accidents are more common after severe stresses
Do be careful of using alcohol or other self medication : these can easily get out of your control.
You may find that returning to your normal self takes some time and that you have periods when thoughts or feelings related to the trauma come back. There may be some aspects of your experience you will never forget.
Traumatic reactions are not new, Samuel Pepys wrote about the Great Fire of London in 1666 and the terror he saw. He later dreamt of fire and falling houses and six months later was still unable to sleep and wrote about the affect on others, some attempting suicide.
We react to trauma because it shatters our basic beliefs of life, that we live in a fairly safe and secure environment and trauma occurs suddenly without warning, so it gives us no time to adapt.
A self help guide is available from the Mental Health NHS Trust.
Victim Support line: 0845 3030900
Supportline@victimsupport.org.uk
Cruse Breavement line – help line for bereaved people and those caring for bereaved people
Tel: 0870 1671677
Disability Tel: 01302 310123
Domestic Violence – Refuge – 24 hour crisis line providing practical advice and emotional support for women experiencing domestic violence Tel : 0870 5995443
