Guidelines: Considering Responses to Traumatic Experiences

Dear Students,

As you return home, we want to ensure in light of the tragic events that took place on May 6th in Copenhagen that you are provided with some guidelines to help you cope with the transition. Some of you may be more affected than others depending on which circumstances you have been exposed to, and some of you may feel little long-term impact – this, too, is a normal reaction.

The following information is not intended to provide diagnostic information. It is intended to provide tools to assist and I encourage you to consult your own professional resources for individualized support.
An important thing for all of you to keep in mind is that it is fine to remember, share and reflect on the entire semester, including all the fun you had. This is healthy.

Responding to Traumatic Events

The type and intensity of responses are different for each individual and can vary over time. It is important to know that every person is unique in how they cope in extremely difficult situations. For example, depending on how extroverted or introverted we are, we may have differing needs regarding being alone or being with others. In many cases, however, people who have social support and engage in social interactions with a supportive network find this beneficial.

There are three broad areas of stress reactions: Emotional, cognitive, and physical.

It is very important to accept and understand that there is no one or correct way of managing reactions. It is equally important to accept and allow yourself to go through your own process and do this in your own time.

Give yourself time. You will need others who you feel safe with to talk to and to reflect on how your emotional responses change and develop. This process may take longer than you might imagine or expect.

Tips

Being with Others:

You may be hesitant to share with others. You may also feel overwhelmed. It is important that you be true to your own process and set boundaries with whom and how much you want to share. It may feel helpful to be in contact with those who shared the experience and those whom you were in contact with after the event, where possible. One of the most important reasons for talking to others is to give your friends and family the opportunity to support you in an appropriate way. However, you may also feel you have to take care of others. If this is the case, it is important that you create a balance that is comfortable for you. In many cases where you feel others need your support, it can be helpful to redirect them to professional services or counseling so you can deal with your own reactions and get the support you need.

Taking Care of Yourself:

It is important you take care of yourself. Get enough sleep, eat well, avoid substances, and practice healthy self-care. Meditation, exercise, frequent breaks, and engaging in pleasurable activities may relieve some of these concerns.

Though it can be helpful to talk about your feelings and needs with people you care about, it is also important to draw healthy boundaries when you do not want to talk with people. Take your needs seriously and be clear about them. Sometimes, preparing a standard response to expected questions can be helpful. Consider in advance where you are going, what the situation is, and who will be there. It is perfectly acceptable, for example, if you were part of a traumatic event, to tell people who ask about the event that you do not want to discuss the event. You don’t need to feel responsible for answering their questions and curiosities.

Remember you are the one who knows what is going on inside you. Seek professional counseling if you have any questions or if you experience that your responses exceed what family and friends can understand or help with.

Please also remember that your home institution will have resources available for you that may help you to make your transition back home as smooth as possible. You may hear from them, but also, please do not hesitate to reach out to them.

On behalf of the Psychology Program,
Carla Caetano, Ph.D., Program Director