Dealing with Traumatic Events

• FAQs: Aftermath of Trauma
• More Information & Resources
• Resources for Faith-Based Communities & Spiritual Leaders

• What is a normal response after one experiences a traumatic event?

  People respond to traumatic events differently. Most people overcome these events without the need for professional intervention. It is "normal" to feel anxious, angry, fearful, or sadness immediately after the event.

• How can one distinguish a normal response from one that may require assessment by a trained professional?

  Most symptoms resolve spontaneously after a couple of days. Those that persist and/or worsen after a couple of days may indicate a more serious problem. Most serious problems are clinically called "stress disorders (formally called Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Acute Stress Disorder)." If this is a concern, contacting a trained mental health professional for assessment is paramount.

• Does any event cause a "stress disorder?"

  No. The traumatic event must involve actual or threatened death, or serious physical harm (i.e., classically rape, natural disasters, military combat) out of the ordinary human experience. It can also occur from witnessing such an event. In addition the victim must experience intense fear, horror, and/or hopelessness.

• What specific symptoms may be manifested?

  Depending on the severity of the traumatic event, anywhere from one quarter to one half of those exposed to a traumatic event may develop psychological problems. These include:

  • Becoming emotionally numb and/or unresponsive after the event. (i.e., looking like you are in a daze).
  • Forgetting or blocking out certain aspects of the event (i.e., a victim of rape maybe unable to clearly articulate the event to law enforcement, or be unable to remember key facts).
  • Re-living the trauma in dreams with intrusive thoughts or imagery. This commonly causes sleep disturbance and inability to concentrate respectively.
  • Inability to focus and perform tasks that in the past posed no difficulty (i.e., work or school performance may suffer as a result).
  • Social isolation.
  • There is avoidance of potential reminders of the event (i.e. witnessing a plane crash may cause one to avoid taking family vacations where air travel is required).
  • Emotional distress may also be manifested as low frustration tolerance, becoming easily irritated over seemingly minor issues, or becoming easily frightened by sudden sounds or people.
  • Some become extremely aware of their surroundings.
  • Some develop physical symptoms such as pacing, restlessness, or in some cases unexplained "aches and pains," fatigue, sweating, chills, or weakness.
• When do the symptoms develop?

  Feelings of distress, anger, guilt, etc., can develop at any time and are normal within days of the traumatic event. More severe and /or persistent symptoms can occur weeks or months after the event.

• Are other conditions possible?

  Yes. About one-half of those suffering from stress disorders abuse drugs and /or alcohol.  This is likely a means to avoid reminders of the trauma and to cope with the symptoms associated with the trauma. Other common conditions include clinical depression or other anxiety problems (i.e. someone witnessing the devastation of a massive tornado may develop fears of storms, lightening, or other reminders of the tornado).

• How are these conditions treated?

  For minor cases, support and understanding from family and friends may be sufficient.  Professional support groups are also effective for victims. Family and friends, and others providing support may also benefit from these groups. More serious cases require assessment by trained mental health professionals. Other possible interventions include medications, individual therapy, and in extreme cases hospitalization. Problems with drug and alcohol addiction should be treated proactively as well.

• Do people recover from these events?

  Yes. Most people recover completely spontaneously (or with minor interventions mentioned above). Even for more severe cases, most people recover to lead productive lives. More severe cases may require longer periods of treatment. Setbacks may occur if treatment is delayed. Therefore it is critical to have proper assessment and intervention as soon as symptoms develop.

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More Information & Resources

• Tips for Survival of a Traumatic Event: What to Expect in Your Personal, Family, Work and Financial Life (pdf)
• Tips for Talking to Children in Trauma: Interventions at Home for Preschoolers to Adolescents (pdf)
• In the Wake of Trauma: Tips for College Students (pdf)
• Tips for Survival of a Traumatic Event:  Managing Your Stress (pdf)
• Signs of Depression Checklist and Lista de Verificación de las Señales de la Depresión (pdf)
• Supporting Students: A Model Policy for Colleges and Universities (pdf)
• Coping with Grief after Community Violence
• Reactions and Actions in Dangerous Times 

Resources for Faith-based Communities and Spiritual Leaders

• Faith Communities and Disaster Mental Health-This NDIN tip sheet provides information for religious leaders about common stress reactions people may experience in response to a disaster and suggests ways they can cope, and help others cope, with disaster stress reactions. The sheet also provides information on referring people for mental health services. http://www.n-din.org/ndin_resources/tipsheets_v1208/11_NDIN_TS_DisasterMentalHealth.pdf
• Tips & Lessons-Disaster Response: The Sunday After a Disaster-This tip sheet from Episcopal Relief & Development offers advice on how to provide community and congregational support after a disaster. http://www.episcopalrelief.org/uploads/EducationFileModel/56/file/Sunday-After-Disaster.pdf
• Vulnerable Populations & Disaster-This tip sheet discusses the need for religious leaders to accommodate the needs of vulnerable populations during disaster preparedness and response. The sheet identifies the types of vulnerable populations and illustrates preparedness and response best practices to assist individuals within these populations. http://www.n-din.org/ndin_resources/tipsheets_v1208/26_NDIN_TS_VulnerablePopulations.pdf 

Resources for Schools

School Based Mental Health Resources: This website is specifically designed for Parents, Teachers, Students, and School Resource Officers and Administrators on School Shooting, Bullying, and Mental Health Resources

How to Talk to Kids About School Shootings - Child Mind Institute

Resources for School Shootings - National Childhood Traumatic Stress Network

How to Cope with Traumatic Events - JED Foundation

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