Earthquakes, fires, accidents, loss, increase the risk of trauma. Would you know what to do to help someone going through traumatic experiences? I have some pointers for you to get started on providing psychological first aid!
You are more likely to lend a hand to someone in need, even before a professional can get to them.
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Pictures in this post are from San Pedro de Atacama surroundings, early this year in the north of Chile. This one is in Valle de la Luna.
Are all experiences equally traumatic?
Chile is burning. A wave of fire is threatening to destroy native forests, but even worse, homes and livelihoods of thousands of people.
Earthquakes consequences are all over the news these days, and in Chile, we are no strangers to how these natural disasters can shake you. I have not published for a bit as I have been overwhelmed by other commitments, but could not stop myself from sharing this experience with you.
My greatest sympathies to all those suffering from natural disasters at this time.
I was interested in understanding trauma in crisis situations. Moreover, how to know when people need help? How to best assist them?
What to do to best assist people has been thoroughly studied. Practical tips are available and there is even a validated procedure to provide First Aid Emergency Psychological Support.
Do all traumatic experiences leave a mark in people? To my surprise, traumatic situations do not leave a mark in all people. We react differently to situations, even really hard ones. In other words, what is traumatic to you, may not be so for somebody else. The way a person reacts to a traumatic event varies greatly (how, when, for how long, etc.).
It has been found that it may turn out to be critical, that we offer adequate help to the person needing it. And there is no shoe that fits all. Yes, I know this complicates things. But there is more: It is more common that a person close to someone that needs help, are the first to be able to provide them with help. Not a professional. It could be you! Thus the importance to know a little bit about this topic.
Trauma refers to an experience were there is exposure to imminent death, heavy injury, sexual abuse. You are not necessarily the victim. It may be that you are not living this as a protagonist, but a witness (an observer, a close family member or friend, a working professional accompanying someone undergoing trauma).
Are these (horrible experiences) necessarily traumatic? No! Are other experiences different from these, that are never traumatic? Also not. A child may suffer trauma because they cannot find their parents for a while on a trip to the beach. Is this traumatic to you? Maybe not. Maybe yes.
The take away message is that what is traumatic for you, may not be traumatic for someone else. When stress and anguish becomes incontrolable, then you are vulnerable to a traumatic experience that can leave a mark in you (or someone else)... Then be observant and get ready to act!
The evolution a person has after a traumatic experience may also vary. You may be resilient and be able to overcome the trauma after a period of time. Disruption in your ability to function normally returns to previous state (pre-trauma) very soon. On a happy note, most people (about 60%) have the more positive type of trajectory.
Is it really trauma?
Immediate reactions to traumatic phenomena also vary.
(GOD! Everything seems to vary...) Well yes, thus psychologists train long and hard to be able to treat and support their patients.
Reactions can be emotional, cognitive, interpersonal, physical.
So basically, all reaction can be expected. The person feels terror, is irritable, in shock, experiences anhedonia, etc.? All of the above? It is totally expected (These are examples of some reactions).
Is the person confused? Having nightmares? Is having a hard time making decisions? Also totally normal.
Blame, alienation, insomnio, fatigue, speedy heart rates, reduction in libido, compulsiveness, impulsiveness, lowering in performance? All these also expected and “normal” after traumatic experiences.
Without the traumatic experience in the equation, many of these symptoms can be associated with mental illness diagnosis. Nevertheless, in these conditions, after a situation such as a traumatic experiences, reacting like this is the new “normal”.
PTSD
When symptoms and disruption to function remains in time, experts will talk about PTSD. Adrenalina, glutamato (etc.) reactions leave sequels in your brain that will have longer effects on some of us.
How was the person at the time of the traumatic event? Where they in a good moment in life? You are more vulnerable to having PTSD if you have previous mental health issues, or if the contextual return to normality is delayed overall, or if you lack social support from people around you.
Some groups of people are more vulnerable to the consequences of trauma, and specialists have programs targeted for them. Migrant people (e.g., refugees) have less social support than a local, victims of previous traumatic experiences, people exposed to trauma due to their professional contexts and level of exposure (police, emergency workers, fireworks, medical professionals, etc.).
You can read Bisson (2007) to find out more about PTSD in “Post-traumatic Stress Disorder”.
First Aid Kit
I do not feel qualified to train you (in a post here) on how to provide first aid. I am instead leaving you with a Spanish or English ABCDE Handbook of Psychological First Aid. Here you can learn of the steps to provide help.
- Listen Actively
- Breathe
- Classify Needs
- Direct Support Networks
- Psycho Educate: what can be expected after/during crisis?
The Handbook is great (among other things) because it is very specific on what to say and what NOT to say. Did you know you should avoid saying things like: "I can assure you that you will get through this"? or "God knows why he does things" or even "Everything happens for a reason?" Learn what to say instead by reading the document. It is easy to follow and built by professionals.
You are not a fan of reading? Watch YouTube class online here!
Someone may need you, and their survival or long term wellbeing may depend on you being able to provide the support they need.