Following up with a post-traumatic stress program increases recovery and strengthens mental health
Recognizing and accepting the need for help following a traumatic event can lead to healing and restored hope. Individuals involved should seek care to help process and recover from the experience. Common signs and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder or situational adjustment stress disorder include shock, denial, anger, rage, anxiety, sadness, sorrow, grief, shame, humiliation, guilt, terror, hypervigilance, paranoia, and even homicidal or suicidal ideation. Victims are encouraged to meet with their primary care provider or mental health provider to discuss next steps.
Critical Stress Debriefing
Critical incident stress debriefing (CISD) has long been provided for professionals exposed to traumatic and high-stress events and may be a useful strategy for those who experience workplace violence. Individuals who endure traumatic events may be at increased risk for short or long-term emotions, mental health symptoms and reactions. Many workplaces do not have a formal CISD program. See the resources below for tips on how to implement this strategy.
Resources
- Surviving and Thriving: Living Through a Traumatic Experience. https://www.aaets.org/surviving-and-thriving-living-through-a-traumatic-experience. Accessed February 7, 2023.
- 7 Steps of Critical Incident Stress Debriefing and How They Support Trauma & Stress Recovery. BetterHelp. https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/stress/the-7-steps-of-critical-incident-stress-debriefing-and-how-they-support-trauma-recovery/. Published October 6, 2022. Accessed February 7, 2023.
- Davis JA. Providing Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) to Individuals and Communities in Situational Crisis. American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress. https://www.aaets.org/traumatic-stress-library/providing-critical-incident-stress-debriefing-cisd-to-individuals-and-communities-in-situational-crisis. Published 2020. Accessed February 7, 2023.