When Traumatic Events Happen
The effect of a disaster or traumatic event extends beyond the immediate devastation. It takes time to repair the
physical damage, and it may take even longer to repair the personal and emotional damage. Life may not return to
normal for months, even years, and changes in lifestyle can strain relationships. At this point your life may seem
unfamiliar and unpredictable.
People who have experienced trauma need to remember we all have different and unique ways of coping. If there are
concerns about how the trauma is affecting you the following are some signs to look for:
Feeling disoriented or confused, difficulty communicating.
Easily frustrated
Depression, sadness and feelings of hopelessness
Headaches, stomach aches and other physical complaints
Tunnel vision, muffled hearing
Difficulty sleeping
Fear of leaving home
Difficulty keeping up at work and at home
Fear of crowds, strangers or of being alone
Increased use of drugs, alcohol and prescription meds
Experiencing one or more of these symptoms can be an indication that you are struggling to return to normal after a
trauma. Some options for relieving your stress include:
Find someone to talk with about your feelings, a counselor,
a pastor or a support group. This may be difficult, but can
be the first step in returning to a more normal life.
Realize you are not responsible for the traumatic event, and
that you will need to let others help in the recovery work.
Take care of yourself, exercise, eat well, get plenty of rest, and
do not take on any new responsibilities or duties.
Everyone is exposed to some form of trauma in their lives. While recovery is slow, if you feel your recovery its taking
longer than expected you may want to talk to a counselor or a grief professional.
For further Information:
Family Service Inc.
800-589-1974
fsisd.org Sept 2010