TRAUMATIC EVENT RECOVERY
When an event is too difficult to emotionally process it is considered traumatic. You may be struggling to get your life back to normal if you have gone through a traumatic event. Individuals may have PTSD if such an event disrupts their feeling of safety and creates a feeling of helplessness.
Traumatic events that can lead to PTSD:
- War
- Rape
- Natural Disasters
- Car or Plane Crash
- Kidnapping
- Violent Assault
- Sexual or Physical Abuse
- Medical Procedures (especially in kids)
What Should I Do If I Suffer From PTSD?
If you suffer from PTSD, you may be living in a state of fear or helplessness. You may also struggle with survivor's guilt if others around died during this event. It is important to seek help to cope effectively with what you are going through. Many people feel disconnected, crazy or numb and have a hard time trusting or feeling safe in outside situations or with unfamiliar people. It is important to seek help to process the event so you can integrate what happened and how you felt about it. If you are unable to process the event and your feelings you will stay in a state of distress. It is very important to face your situation and your feelings so to move forth in a healthy manner.
Some symptoms of PTSD:
- Repetitive, and distressing thoughts about the event
- Nightmares related to the event
- Flashbacks so intense that you feel or act as though the trauma were occurring all over again
- An attempt to avoid thoughts or feelings associated with the trauma
- An attempt to avoid activities or external situations associated with the trauma
- Emotional numbness; being out of touch with your feelings
- Feelings of detachment or estrangement from others
- Losing interest in activities that used to give you pleasure
- Persistent symptoms of increased anxiety such as falling or staying asleep, difficulty concentrating, startling easily, irritability and outbursts of anger
If you feel that you, or a loved one, is struggling with a traumatic event then it is important to seek help. The earlier that you are able to confront and process the issue, the quicker the healing process can be. It is normal to want to avoid help as it is a process of confronting the traumatic event that you are trying to get rid of. Remember, once you are able to integrate this event as part of your life the easier it will be for you to return to sense of normalcy. If you are struggling with PTSD make sure to seek support from a professional and those who love and care for you. Avoid alcohol and drugs as they are only a short term relief and can make your situation worse. Also, try to challenge your sense of helplessness. Such an event leaves you feeling out of control and powerless; start to gain your power back by challenging this feeling and regaining your sense of strength.
If someone you love is suffering from PTSD:
- Work on being patient and understanding. This process can take time and the individual may need to talk about the traumatic event repeatedly.
- Avoid the feeling to advise them to stop rehashing the event. The individual also may need time before they are able to talk about the event. Either way is quite normal and it is important that you understand that this is part of their process of recovery.
- Learn what the triggers are and what causes them. Certain days, events, people, sight, sounds, smells can all trigger a person to relive the event. Learn what these are so you can help and support this individual in troublesome situations.
- Recognize that some symptoms include emotional numbness, anger and withdrawal. It's easy to take these symptoms personally and be hurt or upset with the other individual. Recognizing this may help you be more of a support as well as save you from any hurt feelings that you may be going through.