Seek help to overcome traumatic experiences

Health Watch, Normal
Source:

The National, Thursday July 5th, 2012

SOME people benefit from extra help in overcoming the effect of a traumatic experience.
Do not be afraid to get professional help if you think you need it: It is not a sign of weakness or an indication that you are losing your mind.
Often the help you receive will be short and simple, and will prevent you from having longer-term problems.
Should any of the below statements resemble you, your next step should be to seek further professional help:
l    The problems described earlier are particularly severe or if they continue for five or six weeks;
l    You feel numb and empty and do not feel the appropriate feelings, you may find yourself keeping busy all the time in order to avoid unpleasant thoughts and feelings;
l    You have no wantoks or family to whom you can talk about the experience and how you feel;
l    You are using alcohol and drugs to help you cope; or
l    If you have any other concerns about the way you and family are coping and you would like to discuss the matter.
Seek help from your family doctor or community health centre or as an alternatively, contact the Mental Health Services or community psychiatric health centres to get specialist help.
Coping with disaster and trauma: Children’s response
Children may experience psychological reactions to a traumatic incident.
They react to frightening events in many ways and there is no typical or “normal” reaction.
Young children in particular may find it very hard to understand what has happened to themselves, their parents or wantoks.
Like adults, they will have strong feelings; unlike adults, they may not be able to tell you how they are feeling and will instead express their emotions through their behaviour.
When a family member experiences a trauma, everyone in the family is affected. It will take time for the family to adjust as they try to understand the reactions of other fa­mily members and many have to learn to relate to each other in new ways.
What are common children’s reactions?
Some of these include :
l    Fearfulness, especially at night or when separated from parents;
l    Clinging, dependant behaviour;
l    A return to “babyish” behaviour that they had grown out off;
l    Nightmare and sleep disturbances;
l    Bed wetting;
l    Aches and pains;
l    General misbehaviour and “naughtiness”;
l    Grizzling and whining;
l    Tantrums and attention-seeking beha­viour; and
l    Poor school performance.
These problems are all normal reactions to an abnormal event that has touched the lives of the family.
It is important not to get angry and blame the child for this behaviour.
Next week we will look into ways in which we should response to these reactions.
Generally after a trauma, people can come out wiser and stronger.
Your experiences may help you to cope better with the stresses of everyday life.
It can be a turning point when you re-evaluate your life and appreciate little things that are often overlooked.
Try to indentify the positive aspects for yourself or your family.
Have confidence in yourselves; take a deep breath and walk the walk Our Lord took. Keep life simple and enjoy the gifts of life and trust your natural feelings.
Please write to my team if you have queries on:

Dr Uma Ambi
Principal adviser
Mental Health Services
C/o Kundu 2
(Beautiful Mind)
P O Box 8, Boroko
NCD