A Guide to Recovery After Trauma - Part 2

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WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP YOURSELF?

· You are normal and having a normal reaction – don’t label yourself as crazy or weak

· Recognise that this will pass and give yourself time and patience

· Give yourself permission to feel rotten and afraid - be patient with yourself, you won’t be yourself for a while

· Talk to people about how you feel and reach out to them for help or support

· Maintain as normal a routine as possible and keep to your normal exercise routine

· Structure your time - keep busy and spend time with others

· Make small daily decision which give back a sense of control, BUT . . .

· Don’t make any big life-changing decisions for a while

· Exercise or do simple things which relax you or are enjoyable for you

· Try not to numb the pain with drugs, medication or alcohol - you don’t need to complicate this with a substance abuse problem

· If the trauma happened in your normal environment it is important to return there as soon as possible – take a friend or counselor with to support you

· Keep a journal - write your way through those sleepless hours

· You are normal and having a normal reaction – don’t label yourself as crazy or weak

· Help anyone who shared the traumatic experience with as much as possible by sharing feelings and checking out how they are doing

· Get enough sleep and eat well balanced, regular meals – even if you don’t feel like it

· Reccurring thoughts, dreams and flashbacks are normal – don’t try to fight them. They will decrease over time and become less painful.

WHAT CAN FAMILY & FRIENDS DO ?

· Listen carefully, give the traumatised person all the time and support they need

· Understand what they went through is real, important, very distressing and not their fault - their reactions are appropriate

· Help them regain a sense of safety

· Help them with every day tasks like cleaning, cooking or caring for the family

· Don’t take their anger or other feelings personally

· Please DO NOT tell them they are “lucky it wasn’t worse”, or they are “lucky to be alive”– traumatised people are not consoled by such statements. Instead, tell them that you are sorry that such an event occurred and you want to understand what they are going through in order to assist them in their recovery.

Please remember this is not something you can do on your own – reach out to loved ones, see a professional for counselling or contact an Organisation that can assist you with your particular crisis. For help or referrals please contact the Community Intervention Centre based at Milnerton Medi Clinic