Coping With Terrible Tuesday
"We cannot get through the mourning process alone. It is important to reach out."
Tuesday's horror has left us all feeling vulnerable and violated, with mental scars equivalent to having survived a traumatic event or the death of a loved one. If you suffer from a mental illness, you are particularly vulnerable, but even the healthiest among us is not immune. The following advice comes from three timely articles:
FROM THE APA
In the wake of Tuesday's attacks, the American Psychological Association has posted the following advice (quoted at leangth):
Give yourself time to heal. Anticipate that this will be a difficult time in your life. Allow yourself to mourn the losses you have experienced. Try to be patient with changes in your emotional state. Ask for support from people who care about you and who will listen and empathize with your situation. But keep in mind that your typical support system may be weakened if those who are close to you also have experienced or witnessed the trauma.
Communicate your experience in whatever ways feel comfortable to you - such as by talking with family or close friends, or keeping a diary.
Find out about local support groups that often are available such as for those who have suffered from natural disasters, or for women who are victims of rape. These can be especially helpful for people with limited personal support systems. Try to find groups led by appropriately trained and experienced professionals. Group discussion can help people realize that other individuals in the same circumstances often have similar reactions and emotions. Engage in healthy behaviors to enhance your ability to cope with excessive stress. Eat well-balanced meals and get plenty of rest. If you experience ongoing difficulties with sleep, you may be able to find some relief through relaxation techniques. Avoid alcohol and drugs.
Establish or reestablish routines such as eating meals at regular times and following an exercise program. Take some time off from the demands of daily life by pursuing hobbies or other enjoyable activities. Avoid major life decisions such as switching careers or jobs if possible because these activities tend to be highly stressful.
Become knowledgeable about what to expect as a result of trauma.
HELPING KIDS COPE
Posted a year or two ago in the wake of the rash of school shootings, the NIMH has an article letting parents know how kids may react and what they can do.
Children five and younger may experience separation anxieties from parent and revert to behaviors experienced at earlier ages such as thumb-sucking and bed-wetting. Children six to 11 may show extreme withdrawal, disruptive behavior, and/or inability to pay attention. A range of behaviors and symptoms from nightmares to stomaches to depression are often present, as well. Adolescents 12 to 17 may exhibit flashbacks, nightmares, depresion, substance abuse, and antisocial behavior, amongst others.
Latest Articles