Dear ,
Welcome to Trauma Outreach Associates' newsletter!
We want you to stay informed about workplace trauma so that when something unexpected happens at your business you will know what to do. We have dedicated ourselves to developing the best preparation practices, response strategies, and the most successful recovery processes - and we are excited to share our knowledge with you.
Take some time to read the article, use this month's tip and check out the related articles we have shared with you.
Take care!
Vanessa & Wilma
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IMPACT OF SEPTEMBER 11th
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It is hard to face September without remembering those horrific days of September 11, 2001. The shock, horror and devastation were beyond our normal coping mechanisms.
By definition, trauma is the result of an extreme event that renders our typical reactions ineffective. We call this "normal reactions by normal people to an abnormal situation."
By recognizing that in the face of trauma it is not 'business as usual' and our behaviors and actions have a natural tendency to change, we can address the impact head-on.
Initial responses to trauma may include:
· Shock
· Fear
· Disbelief
· Inability to make decisions
· Disorientation
· Need for information
· Desire to help other victims
Later responses may be characterized by:
· Anger and suspicion
· Apathy and depression
· Changes in eating and sleeping patterns
· Crying without apparent cause
· Extreme vigilance
· Frustration, irritability, moodiness
· Feeling overwhelmed
· Anxiety about the future
· Disappointment and loss of faith
· Guilt
By recognizing and normalizing the above reactions we allow people to move through the traumatic event to a place of acceptance and renewal. If we pretend that those symptoms are not there, or if we 'judge' them as weak or wrong, the impact of trauma can get stuck in ways that ultimately lead to post-traumatic stress disorder.
In upcoming issues we will highlight the signs and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the best practices for effectively coping with this condition.
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