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| Trauma event (critical
incident) |
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You
have experienced a traumatic event (an injury, loss of a loved one or
property, or a serious threat, or any overwhelming emotional experience).
Even though the event may be completed, you may now be experiencing
or may experience later, some strong emotional or physical reactions.
It is very common, in fact quite normal, for people to experience emotional
aftershocks when they have passed through an horrible event.
Sometimes the emotional aftershock (or stress reactions) appear immediately
after the traumatic event. Sometimes they may appear a few hours or
a few days later. And, in some cases, weeks or months may pass before
the stress reactions appear.
The signs and symptoms of a stress reaction may last a few days, a few
weeks, or a few months and occasionally longer, depending on the severity
of the traumatic event. With understanding and the support of loved
ones or significant others, the stress reactions usually pass more quickly.
Occasionally the traumatic event is so painful that professional assistance
from a may be necessary. This does not imply craziness or
weakness. It simply indicates that the particular traumatic event was
just too powerful for the person to manage by himself or herself.
Here are some very common signs and symptoms of a stress reaction:
| PHYSICAL |
| Nausea,
Upset stomach, Tremors (lips, hands), Feeling uncoordinated, Profuse
sweating, Diarrhoea, Dizziness, Chest pain (should be checked at
hospital), Rapid heart beat, Rapid breathing, Increased blood pressure,
Headaches, Muscle aches, Sleep disturbance. |
| COGNITIVE |
| Slowed
thinking, Difficulty making decisions, Difficulty in problem solving,
Confusion Disorientation (especially to place and time), Difficulty
calculating, Difficulty concentrating, Memory problems, Difficulty
naming common objects, Seeing the event over and over, Distressing
dreams, Poor attention span. |
| EMOTIONAL |
| Anxiety,
Fear, Guilt, Grief, Depression, Feeling lost, Feeling abandoned,
Feeling isolated, Worry about others, Wanting to hide, Wanting to
limit contact with others, Anger, Irritability, Feeling numb, Startled,
Shocked. |
HELPFUL
HINTS :
| FOR YOURSELF |
- Try
to rest a bit more. Contact friends.
- Have
someone stay with you for at least a few hours or periods or
a day or so.
- Reoccurring
thoughts, dreams or flashbacks are normal - don't try to fight
them - they'll decrease over time and become less painful.
- Maintain
as normal a schedule as possible.
- at
well-balanced and regular meals (even when you don't feel like
it).
- Try
to keep a reasonable level of activity.
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Fight against boredom. Physical activity is often helpful.
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Re-establish a normal schedule as soon as possible.
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Express your feelings as they arise.
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Talk to people who love and care about you.
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Find a good if the feelings become prolonged or too
intense.
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| FOR FAMILY MEMBERS & FRIENDS |
- Listen
carefully.
- Spend
time with the traumatized person.
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Offer your assistance and a listening ear, even if they have
not asked for help.
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Reassure them that they are safe.
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Help them with everyday tasks like cleaning, cooking, caring
for family, minding children.
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Give the person some private time.
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Don't take their anger or other feelings personally.
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Don't tell them that they are "lucky it wasn't worse" - those
statements do not console traumatised people.
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Instead, tell them that you are sorry such an event has occurred
and you want to understand and assist them.
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If
the symptoms described above are severe or if they last longer than
six weeks, the person may need professional counseling.
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Call us at +65 6281-5157
