Strategies to help employees
deal
with the emotional response to disaster
| Stages of Crisis | Emotional and Physical Response to Crisis |
Pre-crisis (planning and disaster preparation) |
|
| Impact (event) | Fear/Panic |
| Crisis phase: confusion and disorganization, trial and error reorganization | High anxiety symptoms, guilt, denial and anger |
| Resolution phase | Grief, guilt, physical problems |
| Post-crisis | Reconciliation |
During the crisis, professional therapists probably will not be on hand immediately, so you may be put in the position of having to deal with the emotional and physical responses of others.
After the crisis, trained therapists should be able to step in and provide group and individualized counseling to help the normal healing process, to prevent problems from occurring, and to handle any long-term counseling that may be required.
High Anxiety or Emotional Shock (these symptoms are not exhaustive)| Active Group: | Inactive Group: |
| agitation wringing of hands loud screaming or crying hyperactivity hypervigilance nausea/vomiting rapid speech rapid breathing flushed face emotionally out of control anger denial |
inactivity fainting nausea/vomiting staring into space dull eyes low blood pressure rapid, thready pulse sweating cold clammy skin pale appearance wandering around aimlessly denial |
Symptoms indicating the need for group discussion sessions and/or longer-term individualized therapy:
| confusion | nightmares |
| angry outbursts | flashbacks |
| sleep disturbances | thought intrusion |
| appetite changes | sight/sound/smell intrusion |
| apathy | phobias |
| grief | withdrawal |
| irritability | depression |
Children’s signs of severe anxiety may take any of the above symptoms, and any of the following regressive behaviors
| crying | thumbsucking |
| bowel-control loss | headaches |
| bedwetting | confusion |
| speech difficulties | irritability |
| fear of the dark | depression |
| nightmares | withdrawal |
| easily startled | clinging |
| fear of being alone | stomach upsets |
| resisting help |
Fact gathering: What happened? What did you do? What was your role?
Thoughts: What would you do differently?
Reactions: What emotions do you associate with the event?
Physical and emotional: Are you exhibiting any of the symptoms above which would indicate you need additional help?
Teaching of self-care: Stay in touch with friends and family, laugh, maintain proper nutrition, exercise, take breaks and go slow if needed. Make no major decisions. Avoid dependence on alcohol or pills. Use self-relaxation techniques.
Bibliography
Allen, Jon. G. Coping with Trauma: a Guide to Self-Understanding. Washington, D.C.: American Psychiatric Press, Inc., 1995.
Everstine, Diana Sullivan and Louis Everstine. The Trauma Response: Treatment for Emotional Injury. New York: W. W. Norton & Co., 1993.
Mitchell, Jeffrey and H. L. P. Resnik. Emergency Response to Crisis: a Crisis Intervention Guidebook for Emergency Service Personnel. Maryland: Robert J. Brady Co., 1981.
Return to SILDRN.