Forensic psychology: Part 5: Supporting staff: Appendix chapter 16

Some of you may experience some reactions over the next few days, some of you may not. If you do have a reaction, the following are the types of reactions most often reported:

• sleep difficulties (such as difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep or waking early), nightmares, fatigue;
• headaches;
• muscle tension;
• loss or increase in appetite;
• irritability, anger;
• sadness;
• loss of emotional control;
• preoccupation with the incident;
• conflicts with friends, peers, and family.

If you experience any of these symptoms, it is not unusual. You are experiencing normal human reactions to abnormal events. Most of these symptoms should disappear within a week to ten days. If they are still bothering you in three to four weeks, speak to one of the psychology staff.

Exercise vigorously within the next 24 hours. This helps to burn off the chemicals that have been generated in your body to enable you to deal with this event.

Eat right. There is a tendency to increase white sugars. Avoid this. Increase your intake of healthy foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables.

Maintain your normal sleep schedule. If you're having difficulty sleeping, a glass of warm milk or herbal tea will help you fall asleep. Avoid sleep medication.

Watch your "Sins." There is a tendency to double up on your favourite sins (i.e., alcohol, tobacco, etc.). This will add to your stress. Try and maintain your normal consumption rates.

Talk about the incident. Talking will help to relieve the stress. Talking helps we humans to process events.

Avoid ruminations. Don't keep rehashing the event in your head. Distract yourself with activities and/ or interactions with others.

Involve yourself in any follow-up that is planned. It is important to talk about the incident, learn how it is affecting you and how best to cope with the normal and expected stress reactions we have to these unusual events.

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