What happens to the psyche and body
At the moment of threat, the body goes into survival mode: stress hormones are released, pulse and breathing increase, blood is redistributed to the muscles. Thinking is narrowed to the essentials, and the ability to reason and remember is temporarily reduced. The psyche reacts in one of two ways: either mobilization with motor excitation, or inhibition, up to numbness. Both options are normal in an extreme situation, but if the condition persists after the threat has passed, the person needs help.
- Release of stress hormones
- Palpitations, trembling, sweating
- Narrowing focus on threat
- Lethargy or, conversely, agitation
- Feeling of unreality
- Loss of memory about some events
What does it look like from the outside
Manifestations are varied and can quickly replace each other. One person sits motionless, looks at one point and does not answer; another talks without stopping, walks, tries to run somewhere; the third one cries or laughs inappropriately. Often there is meaningless activity - a person rearranges things again and again. Tremors, nausea, palpitations, and a lump in the throat are noted. Later he may not remember important details of what happened. These are not signs of weakness or madness, but typical reactions to overload.
- Numbness, silence, lack of response
- Excitement, fussiness, attempts to escape
- Crying, screaming, inappropriate laughter
- Trembling, nausea, palpitations, shortness of breath
- The feeling that everything is not happening to him
- Partial loss of memory of the event
First psychological aid
The most important thing is to ensure physical safety and move the person away from the source of the threat, noise and onlookers. Then a simple rule applies: presence is more important than words. It is worth introducing yourself, speaking in short, understandable phrases, offering water, warm clothes, and the opportunity to sit down. It is useful to help restore contact with reality: ask him to say his name, describe what he sees around him. You cannot give alcohol or sedatives without a doctor’s prescription, demand that you “pull yourself together” and force you to retell in detail what happened.
- Take to a safe, quiet place
- Stay close, don't leave me alone
- Speak calmly and in short sentences
- Offer water and heat
- Help you focus on your breathing and surrounding objects
- Do not give alcohol or other people's medications
- Don't rush into telling what happened
When to see a doctor
Medical assistance is needed immediately if a person is dangerous to himself or others, is in a deep stupor, has been injured, or has consumed alcohol or other substances. In other cases, it is worth visiting a doctor if after a few days the condition does not improve, insomnia, intrusive memories, flinching from sounds, and avoidance of places associated with the event persist. If such symptoms last longer than a month, we may have post-traumatic stress disorder, which requires special treatment.
- Life-threatening and dangerous behavior - challenge 103
- Stupor or severe agitation
- Signs of a head injury
- Symptoms persist for more than three days
- Intrusive memories and nightmares
- Avoiding reminders of an event for longer than a month
- Drinking alcohol for relief
Recovery after an event
In the coming days, the psyche needs predictability and rest. Returning to a normal routine, regular eating and sleeping, limiting news and discussions of what happened, and feasible physical activity help. It is useful to talk about what happened, but only when a person is ready, and with someone he trusts. Single forced analysis of an event in the first hours is not recommended. If recovery is delayed, psychotherapy is effective, including methods specifically designed for working with traumatic experiences.
- Return to normal daily routine
- Get enough sleep and eat regularly
- Limiting the news flow
- Talk about an event when ready
- Walking and moderate physical activity
- Quitting alcohol
- Psychotherapy for lingering symptoms