Coping with Traumatic Events
SAMHSAStrong Feelings are Expected
After a traumatic event emotional and physical reactions are different for each person. While it is typical to react to a stressful event with increased anxiety, worry and anger, most people bounce back. In fact, people consistently demonstrate remarkable resilience in the aftermath of disasters and other traumatic events.
Connect with Friends and Family
Check in with family members and friends to find out how they are coping. Feeling stressed, sad, upset are common reactions to life changing events. Recognize and pay attention to early warning signs of more serious distress. Your children, like you, will have reactions to this difficult situation; they too may feel fearful, angry, sad, worried, and confused. Children will benefit from your talking with them on their level about what is happening, to get your reassurance, and to let them know that you and they will be OK and that you will all get through this together.
Take Care of Yourself and Each Other
Getting support from others, taking care of yourself by eating right, getting enough sleep, avoiding alcohol and drugs and getting some exercise can help to manage and alleviate stress.
Know When to Seek Help
Depending on the situation, some people may develop depression, experience grief and anger, turn to alcohol or drugs and even think about hurting themselves or others. The signs of serious problems include:
- excessive worry
- crying frequently
- an increase in irritability, anger, and frequent arguing
- wanting to be alone most of the time
- feeling anxious or fearful, overwhelmed by sadness, confused
- having trouble thinking clearly and concentrating, and difficulty making decisions
- increased alcohol and/or substance use
- increased physical (aches, pains) complaints such as headaches
- trouble with your "nerves"
If these signs and symptoms continue (persist) and interfere with daily functioning, it is important to seek help for yourself or a loved one.
Resources
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Articles
- Terrorism
- Coping With Terrorism and War
- Mental Health Reactions After a Disaster or Traumatic Event
- Coping with a Traumatic Event
- Tips for Talking to Children After a Disaster: A Guide for Parents and Teachers
- Helping Children and Adolescents Cope with Violence and Disasters: What Parents Can Do
- Coping with Traumatic Events
- Tips for Survivors: Coping with Grief After Community Violence
- Tips for Survivors of a Disaster or Other Traumatic Event: Managing Stress
- Tips for College Students: After a Disaster or Other Trauma
- Five Mental Health Resources for Veterans
- Hatred, Terrorism and Trauma
- Late-Onset PTSD a Growing Concern
- Twenty Ways to Promote Peace in Our World
- Tips for Disaster Responders: Returning to Work
- Anniversary Reactions to a Traumatic Event: The Recovery Continues
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Questions and Answers
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Book & Media Reviews
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Self-Help Groups
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Links
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Videos
- Tips for Managing Distress in the Aftermath of a Shooting
- Talking to Our Kids With Autism Spectrum Disorder About Acts of Terrorism
- Military Veterans and Smoking
- Art can heal PTSD's invisible wounds
- Suffering Soldiers: A Look at PTSD
- Terror Related Stress
- Helping Youth Cope With Disaster
- What is PTSD?
- Coping with Anger After Deployment
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