Trauma & PTSD

Symptoms:

People may experience feelings of isolation, irritability, and guilt. They may also have sleep problems, such as insomnia, and difficulty concentrating. Often, these symptoms are severe and persistent enough to have a significant impact on the person’s daily life.

Recommended treatment options may include:

Watchful waiting - monitoring symptoms to see if they improve or worsen without treatment
Antidepressants - such as paroxetine or mirtazapine

Psychological therapies - such as trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

Depression:

It’s a mood disorder that causes a continuous feeling of sadness, despair, and loss of pleasure, leading to emotional and physical problems that affect daily activities.

Initial Psychological Assistance Plan:

First: Approach

Ask the person how they’re feeling and calm them down if they’re agitated or panicked.

Second: Listen

Listen to the person without judgment and make them feel understood.

Third: Support

Offer emotional support, then informational support with solutions to their problem.

Fourth: Encourage

Encourage them to consider specialized options available such as medication and psychological therapy.

Fifth: Inform

Discuss self-help psychological assistance strategies with them (support groups – family – friends).

Don't forget yourself!