Teniola Bamigbola

DEALING WITH THE AFTERMATH OF TRAUMA The emotional impact of traumatic events can have devastating and long-lasting effects on the mental and emotional well-being of those involved or affected in some way by those events. When someone is exposed to traumatic events, such as a natural disaster, mass violence, or terrorism, it is important to monitor how the exposure to these events can affect him/her personally. Most people will show some signs of stress or distress. This is a normal response and as life gets back to a more normal routine, the signs of stress will usually decrease over time. Coping with personal trauma is a process through which each person moves, individually. However, when disaster strikes, it is not uncommon to feel frightened, restless, overwhelmed and vulnerable. Older adults may have a more difficult time coping because many have faced a previous event or disaster in the past. Children or younger adults may feel very vulnerable, have flashbacks, feel unsafe or need frequent reassurance that they personally will be alright. WAYS TO COPE Talk about your experiences and your feelings with people you trust. Take care of yourself physically: eat correctly, sleep adequately, exercise fully. Be around other people and do not isolate yourself. Volunteer or get involved in community activities to redirect your focus. Do things you enjoy such as movies, gardening, dancing, etc. Remember to journal. Write about significant experiences in your life to express your feelings. Try to limit exposure to television, internet or newspapers which dwell on the event. If interested or capable, get involved in the disaster relief recovery program. Accept help from others, as needed. It is important to return to a normal routine at a pace which is reasonable for the individual, however, if symptoms do not seem to be subsiding or if they are becoming more severe, it is recommended that contact is made with a mental health professional to talk about feelings regarding the traumatic event.