It is common for the mention of conflict to bring to mind any number of images or memories. In working with various clients, I find that the most common conclusion eludes to arguments or tension. On the other hand if I am working with a veteran, conflict can mean something completely different.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder does not discriminate nor is it reserved for those in military directly or indirectly as a family member. For many years it has been thought that PTS is primarily something dealt with by military. The is not the case. PTS has its beginning risk of impact anytime a traumatic, high stress violation of circumstance occurs. A woman raped is as prone to PTS as the front line combat warrior.
I specialize in education, intervention and prevention of critical incident stress evolving into what can become a life altering consequence of neglect and failure to recognize when a body needs attention.
We are feeling, thinking, emotional beings and anytime there is assault and disruption of personal peace whereby a persons life is for ever altered by trauma, there is potential risk of reactionary emotions or coping behaviors locking or suppressing and physiological need to decompress. Decompression is often approached from a verbal debriefing where professionals come in to help persons impacted to process and in the best case scenarios provide information of what is common following such a tragedy and what the person and community can do to move forward taking healthy steps to care for their needs. In some cases, a few sessions of after care is all a person needs. In other cases, there may be a need for more long term or ongoing care. This all depends on the kind of trauma someone has experience and any past traumatic events that person may have had prior to the current incident as well as how they have previously dealt with past trauma. Another factor is how long ago was the most recent traumatic event and where are they in the process of moving forward. A person with multiple incidents in a relatively short time will manage far different than someone that has never had a traumatic event. Compound impact has compounding effects on a person and can make for a more different pace and need for care.
I want to caution any ideology that there is “weakness or stigma” in seeking or getting help. Human beings are feeling, thinking, emotional beings with vulnerabilities, needs, and that experience pain. I cannot urge strongly enough that if you are impacted by any traumatic event, muster “the strength of a warrior and find “strength in meekness”. Seek out the help of professionals trained in facilitating wellness and recovery for traumatic events. It is your life, welbeing, and recovery that is at stake! Do what it take to be made whole again. While a traumatic event like ORLANDO is a violation and assault on humanity, it need not have control over the rest of life. True, that everything has changed, but the event while having impact on lives for the rest of each one’s life, it does not need to be a continued and dominating grip that negatively effects long term health and well being.
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