Coping with Tragedy
Suggestions for Self Care
Even if you were not personally connected with the tragedy at Northern Illinois University, it may be an unsettling or traumatizing event. Sometimes the impact of such events appears immediately after the event or it may take a few hours, days or even weeks before stress reactions appear. The way individuals cope with crisis depends on their history and prior experiences with trauma. So while one person may be largely unaffected by recent events, others' reactions may range from the need to talk, to feelings of sadness and anxiety. Most people will cope with these reactions with the help of friends and family, but some may benefit from professional assistance.
Here are some tips to help you cope :
- Keep busy! Focus on your projects and classroom assignments! Research indicates keeping focused on day to day required tasks or routines helps mitigate the effects of stress.
- Seek out persons who care for and support you. Share your reactions, thoughts and how the experience impacted you.
- Know that the reactions to trauma described are normal responses to a very abnormal experience. They occur in varying degrees of severity and type for each person.
- Limit the amount of time that you watch details about the tragedy on TV.
- “Baby yourself” – eat well, get your sleep, and do nurturing things.
- Express your feelings with your art! Drawings, poetry etc. are all healthy ways to manage the feelings related to trauma.
- Consider writing a journal of your experience or feelings.
- Seek to gain perspective on the experience. This is often helped by participation in counseling. Other aids may include meditation, reading, spiritual reflection or involvement in support groups.
- Consider sending cards, emails of support to Norther Illinois University. Helping others often is the healthiest way to manage our own feelings of powerlessness.
- Avoid the use of alcohol because it tends to amplify painful emotions, not make them go away.
- Pay attention to friends and be supportive. If they are really hurting, talk to them about getting help.
We are here to help you process the recent events at Norther Illiniois University. If you need to talk to someone, please give us a call at 424-2061.
You may experience some of the symptoms below, this is normal!
Shock: often the initial reaction to events like this. Shock is the person’s emotional protection from being too overwhelmed by the event. You may feel stunned, numb, or in disbelief concerning the event.
Anxiety: Can range from mild insecurity to strong panic attacks. Often grievers become anxious about their ability to take care of themselves, or fear an event like this will happen to them or a loved one.
Suffering: this is the long period of grief during which the person gradually comes to terms with the reality of the event/loss. Feelings that life is overwhelming, chaotic and disorganized are common.
Sadness: The most common feeling found following traumatic events like this. It may become quite intense and be experienced as emptiness or despair.
Anger: Can be one of the most confusing feelings for the grieving person. Anger is a response to feeling powerless, frustrated, or even abandoned.
Its good to talk about it! We are here for YOU…give us a call!
The University Counseling Center (920) 424-2061
Adapted from Tamara Grosz, Ph.D., APRN, BC
Director, The Center for Student Counseling and Disability Services the Savannah College of Art and Design Community