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This is a brief guide aimed at anyone exposed to a traumatic incident.
The emotional effects will be felt by survivors, bereaved families, friends, rescue workers, healthcare workers and the general public. If you witnessed or lost someone in a recent incident you are most likely to feel distressed by it.
Reactions to the event are likely to be strongest in those closest to the incident, who directly witnessed the aftermath, and who were involved in the immediate rescue and care of victims and survivors.
The following responses are normal and to be expected in the first few weeks:
Emotional reactions such as feeling afraid, sad, horrified, helpless, overwhelmed, angry, confused, numb or disorientated
Having distressing thoughts and images of the incident
Nightmares
Disturbed sleep or insomnia
Feeling anxious
Low mood
These responses are a normal part of recovery and are the mind’s mechanisms for trying to make sense and come to terms with what has happened. They should subside over time.
The most helpful way to cope with an event like this is to be with people you feel close to and normally spend time with
If it helps, talk to someone you feel comfortable with (friends, family, co-workers) about how you are feeling
Talk at your own pace and as much as you feel is useful
Be willing to listen to others who may need to talk about how they feel
Take time to grieve and cry if you need to
Ask for emotional and practical support from friends, family members, your community or religious centre
Try to return to everyday routines and habits. They can be comforting, when things feel overwhelming. Look after yourself: eat and sleep well, exercise and relax
Try to spend some time doing something that feels good and that you enjoy
In the early stages, psychological professional help is not usually necessary. Many people recover naturally from these events. However, some people may need additional support to help them cope. For example, people who have had other traumatic events happen to them and people with previous mental health difficulties may be more at risk.
It is recommended that you seek professional support if a month after the event you are still experiencing the following difficulties:
Feeling upset and fearful
Finding it difficult to stop thinking about the incident
Having nightmares
Feeling more irritable
Feeling more jumpy
Struggling to work or look after your home and family
Psychological interventions for trauma reactions can vary but generally their aim is to enable people to improve coping and address difficult feelings.
Medications are not the first line of treatment but can at times be recommended and can be helpful in treating some symptoms.