Following a traumatic event, such as in the aftermath of Sandy, it is common to feel fear, anger, vulnerability, sadness and guilt. To minimize the impact of these reactions, it is important to take care of oneself.
The following do's and don’ts are good post trauma reminders for individuals and families.
Do:
- Get enough rest and maintain a good diet/exercise program
- Follow a familiar routine
- Talk to supportive peers and family about the incident
- Take one thing and day at a time
- Attend meetings regarding the traumatic event
- Spend time with family and friends
- Expect the experience to be bothersome
- Seek professional help if symptoms persist
Don't:
- Use drugs or alcohol to numb feelings
- Withdraw from significant others
- Reduce leisure activities
- Stay away from work
- Increase caffeine intake
- Look for east answers
- Take on new major projects or make major changes
For information on Crisis Intervention Services, to schedule an appointment or make a referral, please call the Barnabas Health Behavioral Health Network Access Center, available 24-hours a day, at 1.800.300.0628.
Barnabas Health Behavioral Health provides an extensive array of integrated behavioral health care and medical services, including inpatient outpatient services, child and adolescent behavioral health, partial hospitalization, geriatric psychiatry, intensive outpatient programs and outpatient counseling, with convenient locations through New Jersey. For more information, visit Barnabas Health Behavioral Health Network online at barnabashealth.org/behavioralhealth or call 1.800.300.0628.
Date: November 8, 2012
