Try to remember that other people are your main source of comfort during a crisis. Talking about what happened and expressing your feelings to a trusted and sympathetic listener can be very helpful.
How you can help yourself
- Self Expression…As you allow yourself to reflect more on this trauma you may well think, talk and also dream about it over and over again. Many people find it helpful to talk to others following a traumatic incident, particularly if those others were also present at the event. Expressing feelings rather than bottling them up can be very therapeutic and reduce the risk of nervous and physical problems emerging. However we are all different in how we deal with life events and some people prefer to cope with these by themselves. Listen to yourself and do what you feel is best for you.
- Confronting Reality…If you feel able to; confronting reality by attending funerals and looking at losses will help you come to terms with the event. Some people find it helpful to revisit the scene when they feel able to do so. If you are troubled by a particular part of the incident, making sure that you know what really happened can be helpful.
Taking care of yourself
- Keep life as normal as possible
- Be kind to yourself – what you are feeling is a natural reaction
- Take time to rest, eat well, exercise and sleep
- Try to express your needs clearly and honestly to family and friends
- Remember children need to talk about their emotions and express themselves in games and drawing
(published with permission in writing from:http://www.abdn.ac.uk)
