Trauma and Stress

Tips for dealing with stress

• Don’t worry about things you can’t control, such as the weather.
• Solve the little problems. This can help you gain a feeling of control.
• Prepare to the best of your ability for events you know may be stressful, such as a job interview.
• Try to look at change as a positive challenge, not as a threat.
• Work to resolve conflicts with other people.
• Talk with a trusted friend, family member or counselor.
• Set realistic goals at home and at work. Avoid overscheduling.
• Exercise on a regular basis.
• Eat regular, well-balanced meals and get enough sleep.
• Meditate.
• Participate in something you don’t find stressful, such as sports, social events or hobbies.

Tell us if you practice any of these activities? Tell us what has worked best for you?

Helping someone deal with emotional and psychological trauma

It can be difficult to know how to help a loved one who’s suffered a traumatic or distressing experience, but your support can be a crucial factor in their recovery.

• Be patient and understanding. Healing from emotional or psychological trauma takes time. Be patient with the pace of recovery and remember that everyone’s response to trauma is different.  Don’t judge your loved one’s reaction against your own response or anyone else’s.
• Offer practical support to help your loved one get back into a normal routine. That may mean help with collecting groceries or housework, for example, or simply being available to talk or listen.
• Don’t pressure your loved one into talking but be available when they want to talk. Some trauma survivors find it difficult to talk about what happened. Don’t force your loved one to open up but let them know you are there to listen whenever they feel ready.
• Help your loved one to socialize and relax. Encourage them to participate in physical exercise, seek out friends, and pursue hobbies and other activities that bring them pleasure. Take a fitness class together or set a regular lunch date with friends.
• Don’t take the trauma symptoms personally. Your loved one may become angry, irritable, withdrawn, or emotionally distant. Remember that this is a result of the trauma and may not have anything to do with you or your relationship.

Seeking help for emotional or psychological trauma

You may want to consider professional help if you are:

• 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

Please check out the resources offered by the National Veterans Foundation.

http://www.nvf.org/?gclid=CMaw9M2nx7MCFQf0nAodujwAUQ

A soldier to soldier message for returning military veterans can be found at http://www.nimh.nih.gov/news/media/video/a-message-for-military-veterans-from-nimhs-dr-robert-heinssen.shtml?utm_source=govdelivery&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govdelivery

Helpguide.org International is a non-profit charitable organization which is based inSanta Monica,California.  The mission of Helpguide.org is to provide individuals and their families with trusted mental health information.  The organization’s hope is that the expert, ad-free resources successfully provide individuals with the knowledge and support they need in order to take charge of their lives and make healthy choices.  Helpguide.org also collaborates with Harvard Health Publications, which is the consumer health publishing division of the Harvard Medical School.  Selected sections of the publications are adapted specifically for the Helpguide format and then added to the site as additional free educational materials.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVVWhRCm7z8&feature=related

Professor Cary Cooper provides some techniques for managing stress, such as exercising and using relaxation techniques, and explains who you can talk to if you’re feeling under pressure.

http://www.nmha.org/index.cfm?objectid=c7df9899-1372-4d20-c89412d66a4ff88d

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H72t3kMrA_A&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QT5w5rBUaxw&feature=fvwrel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1iRd45dirYk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COKPLZ1FmWg&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mafxI1YiED4&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_koRi913Wg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=7Oj1hEiDgf0&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYSCKMJOeFY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D56tUOdpgts