Trauma, When To Get Help?

My girlfriend was in the Aurora, Colorado theatre and witnessed the mass shooting there. She didn’t get hurt, but saw people who had been shot. She was so traumatized that it has been hard for her to get over it. How can I help her?

I’m so sorry to hear that she had to witness this carnage, but it does bring to light the fact that while the authorities give us concrete numbers on the wounded and killed in these attacks, there is no way to quantify the numbers of bystanders who are emotionally traumatized.

Their trauma can range from the terrors of the mental images and memories of what they saw, to feeling helpless to stop the carnage, or guilty over seeing others hurt or killed when they escaped that outcome (survivors guilt).

The best support you can provide your girlfriend is to make sure she gets professional help if she needs it.

Review the information below to see if she might need the help of a licensed counselor or Doctor. There are times when issues go beyond the realm of Life Coaching, and this is one of them. I wish you and your girlfriend, and all those affected by these horrific tragedies, an eventual return to well being.

When to see a doctor as reprinted from the Mayo Clinic Website on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder:

It’s normal to have a wide range of feelings and emotions after a traumatic event.

You might experience fear and anxiety, a lack of focus, sadness, changes in how well you sleep or how much you eat, or crying spells that catch you off guard. You may have nightmares or be unable to stop thinking about the event.

This doesn’t mean you have post-traumatic stress disorder. But if you have these disturbing thoughts and feelings for more than a month, if they’re severe, or if you feel you’re having trouble getting your life back under control, talk to your health care professional.

Getting treatment as soon as possible can help prevent PTSD symptoms from getting worse.

In some cases, post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms may be so severe that you need emergency help, especially if you’re thinking about harming yourself or someone else. If this happens, call 911 or other emergency medical service, or ask a supportive family member or friend for help.

Negative Self-Talk, and getting Unstuck from the past Trauma of childhood molestation and rape, are the topics for this weekend on The Joan Jerkovich Show. Join “Your Life Coach” for “Empowering Talk Radio”!

Joan Jerkovich, BCC Board Certified Life Coach

Joan Jerkovich, BCC
Board Certified Life Coach

 
The Joan Jerkovich Show
News Radio 1150 KSAL
Saturdays @ 6am & Sundays @ 9pm CST
Podcast posts to KSAL.com Mondays
 

Click HERE to anonymously send Joan your question!

Join the conversation & post your comments @ JoanJerkovich.com

We learn from each other!