THE AFTERMATH OF TRAUMA:

Help for Veterans and Others Dealing with

Emotional Pain

What is PTSD?

What is ‘trauma?’

Trauma is an emotional response to a terrible event. Accident Rape/Physical or Sexual Assault Natural disaster Combat

Emotional Symptoms of Trauma

• Shock, denial, or disbelief• Anger, irritability, mood swings• Guilt, shame, self-blame• Feeling sad or hopeless• Confusion, difficulty concentrating• Anxiety and fear• Withdrawing from others• Feeling disconnected or numb• Flashbacks/intrusive memorieshttp://www.helpguide.org/mental/emotional_psychological_trauma.htm

Physical Symptoms of Trauma

• Insomnia or nightmares• Being startled easily• Racing heartbeat• Aches and pains• Fatigue• Difficulty concentrating• Edginess and agitation• Muscle tension• Nauseahttp://www.helpguide.org/mental/emotional_psychological_trauma.htm

Gina’s Story

Tips for Coping

• Find someone to talk with about how you feel. • Allow yourself to feel pain. It will not last forever. • Spend time with others, but make time to spend time

alone. • Take care of your mind and body. Rest, sleep, exercise

and eat regular, healthy meals. • Re-establish a normal routine as soon as possible, but

don't over-do. • Make daily decisions, which will help to bring back a

feeling of control over your life. • Undertake daily tasks with care. Accidents are more

likely to happen after severe stress. • Recall the things that helped you cope in the past.

Mindfulness – Staying Grounded

• If you are feeling disoriented, confused, or upset, you can do the following exercise:

• Sit on a chair. Feel your feet on the ground. Press on your thighs. Feel your behind on the seat and your back against the chair.

• Look around you and pick six objects that have red or blue. This should allow you to feel in the present, more grounded, and in your body. Notice how your breath gets deeper and calmer.

• You may want to go outdoors and find a peaceful place to sit on the grass. As you do, feel how your body can be held and supported by the ground.

When to Seek Help

• Having trouble functioning at home or work• Suffering from severe fear, anxiety, or

depression• Unable to form close, satisfying relationships• Experiencing terrifying memories, nightmares,

or flashbacks• Avoiding more and more things that remind you

of the trauma• Emotionally numb and disconnected from

others• Using alcohol or drugs to feel better http://www.helpguide.org/mental/emotional_psychological_trauma.htm

Talking about it Matters

How to Help Someone Else

• Be patient and understanding. • Don’t judge your friend or loved one’s reaction

against your own response or anyone else’s. • Offer practical support to help your friend or

loved one get back into a normal routine. • Don’t pressure your friend or loved one into

talking but be available when he/she wants to talk.

• Help your loved one or friend to socialize and relax.

• Don’t take the trauma symptoms personally. http://www.helpguide.org/mental/emotional_psychological_trauma.htm

Potential Suicide

What if you think your friend or loved one might be thinking of suicide?

Risk Factors for Suicide• Thoughts about harming self that include plan & method• Previous suicide attempts• Alcohol or substance abuse • History of mental illness• Poor self-control• Hopelessness• Recent loss (e.g., loved one, job, relationship) • Family history of suicide • History of abuse• Serious health problems• Sexual identity concerns: especially among men 16-24• Recent discharge from hospital, group home etc.• Recent diagnosis of an illness• Demographic factors: White men over 70 years of age are at

increased risk• Burdensomeness, Isolation• Chronic Pain , PTSD, TBI

Veteran-Specific Risk Factors

Multiple deployments Length of deployments Deployments to hostile environments Exposure to extreme stress/death/combat Physical/sexual assault while in the

service (not limited to women) Service related injuries (TBI, PTSD, other

medical and mental health diagnoses) Familiarity with weapons

Protective Factors

Positive social support History of adaptive coping skills Participating in treatment Veteran acknowledges hopefulness Religious beliefs that act as a barrier Life satisfaction (e.g., rating 1 to 10) Fear of suicide or death Family or friends that act as barrier to self-

harm(Rudd, 2006)

Warning Signs

Prior suicide attempts/behavior Agitation, anxiety OR Sudden calm Hopelessness or feeling like life is too heavy Trapped in physical/psychological pain Talking or writing about death/suicide Withdrawing and isolating Seeking means to kill themselves Acting reckless without regard for safety or

death Self-loathing Getting affairs in order Saying good-bye

What to do

Be yourself. Listen. Be sympathetic, non-judgmental, patient,

calm, accepting. Offer hope. Let the person know that his

or her life is important to you. Don’t be afraid to the question: “Are you

having thoughts of suicide?” Encourage him/her to seek professional

help.

What to Avoid

Avoid arguing with the suicidal person. Avoid saying things like: "You have so

much to live for," "Your suicide will hurt your family," or “Look on the bright side.”

Don’t act shocked, lecture on the value of life, or say that suicide is wrong.

Do not promise confidentiality. Don‘t offer ways to fix their problems. Do not blame yourself. You can’t “fix”

someone’s depression. www.helpguide.org

The Power of One

The Power of One

PSH Counseling Services

If you need to speak with someone, please contact Counseling Services.

We are located in the Swatara Building. You can reach us at 717-948-6025 to schedule an appointment.

http://harrisburg.psu.edu/counseling-services

Our office is staffed with licensed psychologists, a licensed counselor and a certified addictions counselor.

Online Resources

www.helpguide.org VeteransCrisisLine.net www.ptsd.va.gov http://www.afsp.org/ (American

Foundation for Suicide Prevention)