TRAUMATIC EVENTS CAN LEAD TO LIFELONG ANXIETY

Without thinking about it a traumatic event happens and your life turns upside down. Think about the recent fire in Fort McMurray and driving through flames. Well how many people do you think will have Post Traumatic Stress from it. Lots! The healing begins as quickly as it can to the event. If support- emotional support is given quickly- the long term effects will be lessened. But there will be long term effects. Think of soldiers, victims of abuse, natural disasters- well the list could be endless. Anxiety is one of those underrated human occurrences. We all have some which can be more or less depending on the day or time of life. Change brings lots of anxiety. Even going on a trip- the packing, the organizing, the tasks! PTSD is one form of anxiety. Flashbacks, triggers, hypervigilance, nightmares, panic attacks! Moodiness! Why me? There are trained crisis intervention workers that have hit the ground running in the recent event.  Providing a place to stay, essentials of life, food, toiletries, activities began from the moment people arrived to safety. Hope there will be survival! Rebuilding! Many Canadians have lived through floods, tornadoes, bad weather events, personal accidents, tragedies, returning from serving our country. We have not done a great job at recognizing the effects of those events. We have not done enough for the First Responders and the trauma they faced. Let's hope that the mass exodus from a community will give recognition to the stress,anxiety, fear and maybe depression for many that will come to light and the mental health and health resources will be given. Although some will say they are coping just fine, leave me alone, may just be in the numb zone of denying any feelings. PTSD can manifest its ugly head months after an event. It is a current event that can be linked to those soldiers who committed suicide from their PTSD. Police officers who left a job from the traumas they faced. Not pretending to tough it up- it's our job but to recognize the work. Talk about it- how can we help. Use writing, art, music, a sports activity to work through the feelings and internal struggles! For some talking therapy! Having supports in place. Addressing the instrumental tasks like the Employment Insurance, house insurance, getting back to work, some normal activities. All these tasks give hope to many. Giving back some sense of control! Always ask- how can I help. Sometimes just being there and listening- validating the experience was a tough one! As a clinician one of my goals for people is to recognize the stressors and to learn strategies of dealing with it. But acceptance it is part of who the person will be for the rest of their lives! It is always the first real step in healing! Face it head on! Learining to live with it!