There are a wide variety of positive reactions that survivors can experience during and immediately after a traumatic event.
Negative reactions may include:
■ Intrusive reactions
■ Distressing thoughts or images of the event while awake or dreaming
■ Upsetting emotional or physical reactions to reminders of the experience
■ Feeling like the experience is happening all over again (“flashback”)
Avoidance and withdrawal reactions may include:
■ Avoid talking, thinking, and having feelings about the traumatic event
■ Avoid reminders of the event (places and people connected to what happened)
■ Restricted emotions; feeling numb
■ Feelings of detachment and estrangement from others; social withdrawal
■ Loss of interest in usually pleasurable activities
Physical arousal reactions may include:
■ Constantly being “on the lookout” for danger, startling easily, or being jumpy
■ Irritability or outbursts of anger, feeling “on edge”
■ Difficulty falling or staying asleep, problems concentrating or paying attention
Reactions to trauma and loss reminders may include:
■ Reactions to places, people, sights, sounds, smells, and feelings that are reminders of the disaster
■ Reminders can bring on distressing mental images, thoughts, and emotional/physical reactions
■ Common examples include: sudden loud noises, sirens, locations where the disaster occurred, seeing people with disabilities, funerals, anniversaries of the disaster, and television/radio news about the disaster
Positive changes in priorities, worldview, and expectations may include:
■ Enhanced appreciation that family and friends are precious and important
■ Meeting the challenge of addressing difficulties (by taking positive action steps, changing the focus of thoughts, using humour, acceptance)
■ Shifting expectations about what to expect from day to day and about what is considered a “good day”
■ Shifting priorities to focus more on quality time with family or friends
■ Increased commitment to self, family, friends, and spiritual/religious faith
What may help to deal with reactions:
■ Talking to another person for support or spending time with others
■ Engaging in positive distracting activities (sports, hobbies, reading)
■ Getting adequate rest and eating healthy meals
■ Trying to maintain a normal schedule
■ Scheduling pleasant activities
■ Taking breaks
■ Reminiscing about a loved one who has died
■ Focusing on something practical that you can do right now to manage the situation better
■ Using relaxation methods (breathing exercises, meditation, calming self-talk, soothing music)
■ Participating in a support group
■ Exercising in moderation
■ Keeping a journal
■ Seeking counselling
What may not help to deal with reactions:
■ Using alcohol or drugs to cope
■ Extreme withdrawal from family or friends
■ Overeating or failing to eat
■ Withdrawing from pleasant activities
■ Working too much
■ Violence or conflict
■ Doing risky things (driving recklessly, substance abuse, not taking adequate precautions)
■ Blaming others
■ Extreme avoidance of thinking or talking about the event or a death of a loved one
■ Not taking care of yourself
■ Excessive TV or computer games
For further information see: https://eapassist.com.au/eap/posttraumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd-in-the-workplace/