Coping with Trauma, Crisis and Tragedy
Following the tragic events of the Movie Theater shooting, and other horrific events over the last decade or two, it is frequently difficult for individuals to cope with the feelings and anxiety that are elicited by those tragedies. Regardless of whether you were witness to the scene, knew someone who was a victim of, or witness to, the tragedy, or if you are just hearing about it from friends or media, it is shocking and difficult to understand.
Symptoms of trauma can include nightmares, depression, anxiety and panic, feelings of insecurity or disbelief that such a tragedy could have happened. Being aware of how you feel is the first step to taking care of yourself in such an aftermath. There are also other things to keep in mind when trying to cope in the face of such a devastating story:
- Remember that feelings of shock and confusion are normal in the aftermath of a very abnormal and tragic event.
- Talk to people about your feelings.
- Spend time with the people you are close to and love.
- Involve yourself in activities you enjoy.
- Nurture yourself.
- Exercise. This releases endorphins which are helpful in the healing process.
- Give yourself time to heal.
If you find yourself in a position where your symptoms are not improving, or you don’t have anyone with whom to talk about your emotions, it is good to seek support or counseling to help you to recover from the shock. There is help available for processing something as difficult to understand as these unthinkable human tragedies.
Click here for more information on Anxiety Treatment.
Tamra Hughes, MA, LPC http://www.thcounseling.com
