I have been closely following the unfortunate episode of 46 nurses from India working in Iraq, held captives for almost week. The photographs in the news papers of the happy return of all of them brought much relief to all of us.
I listened to the story of an immediate member of the family who was affected by this terrifying experience. Even after two weeks, the fear has not left them. The conversation is still centred on these things. There are sudden outbursts of crying, screaming and sleeplessness.
Today a family who came to visit for consultation, spoke about the fear that has gripped their seven year old child to go by an auto rickshaw to school, since his friend got thrown off while riding back from the school.
Another mother mentioned about her nine year old daughter refusing to go to the stream for a bath following another girl accidentally falling into the water and needing rescue measures.
These are examples of acute stress, which sometimes can become a post traumatic stress if the symptoms last for weeks. Usually if the symptoms last for beyond six months, it would call for specific treatment protocol.
Let me suggest that we audit our stress state by going through the events that have disturbed us. A weekly audit and debriefing with the help of someone is one way of preventing the ill effects of stress upon us!
Avoid burying our feelings! Our feelings tell the story of our psychologic well being!
M.C.Mathew(text and photo)
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