Dealing with a Traumatic Event
What's Normal?
Experiencing traumatic events may cause you to react in unusual ways. Some of these traumatic events may be:
- Seeing someone being killed or badly injured
- Living through a fire, flood or natural disaster
- Living through a life-threatening accident
- Having been in combat or a shooting
As a result of the traumatic incident that you have just experienced, there are some natural reactions that you may experience. Though these are normal reactions you may experience some or all of them.
- Trouble concentrating
- Being easily startled
- Not enjoying activities you once enjoyed
- Flashbacks, or reliving the traumatic event for minutes or even days at a time
- Only remembering bits and pieces about the incident
- Shame or guilt (the "what if" game)
- Upsetting dreams about the traumatic event
- Trying to avoid thinking or talking about the traumatic event
- Feeling emotionally numb
- Irritability or anger
- Self-destructive behavior, such as drinking too much
- Hopelessness about the future
- Trouble sleeping
- Paranoia
- Memory problems
What Can I Do to Battle these Effects?
- Contact your health professional and follow his or her instructions. Your health care professional may prescribe medications to relieve anxiety or to help you sleep.
- Take care of yourself. Get enough rest, eat a balanced diet, exercise, and take time to relax. Avoid caffeine and nicotine, which can worsen anxiety.
- Don't self-medicate. Turning to alcohol or drugs to numb your feelings isn't healthy, even though it may be a tempting way to cope. It can lead to more problems down the road and prevent real healing.
- Break the cycle. When you feel anxious, take a brisk walk or delve into a hobby to refocus.
- Talk to someone. Stay connected with a supportive and caring family, friends, faith leaders, or others. You don't have to talk about what happened if you don't want to. Just sharing time together with loved ones can offer healing and comfort.
- Contact Crisis Intervention Deputy. The Kendall County Crisis Intervention Deputy is here to help you through this event or to assist you in getting help if needed. The Crisis Intervention Deputy is available Monday-Friday 8:00 A.M -5:00 P.M