MANAGING CRITICAL INCIDENT STRESS

think you"re going crazy try to resist recurring thoughts, dreams or flashbacks withdraw from family, friends, colleagues think you are the only one who has been affected drink alcohol excessively abuse medication have unrealistic expectations for recovery — it takes time

expect the incident to bother you remind yourself that your reactions are normal get plenty of sleep and rest spend time with family, friends and colleagues maintain a balanced diet with minimum caffeine and sugar exercise daily on a moderate basis take time for leisure activities learn as much as possible about critical incident stress talk to trusted family, friends, counsellor minimize use of alcohol and drugs treat yourself especially well

IF YOU ARE A FAMILY MEMBER OR FRIEND

listen carefully spend time with the affected person offer your assistance and listening ear reassure them that they are safe and that their reactions are normal help them with routine tasks like cleaning, cooking and caring for the family allow them some private time don"t not take their anger (or other feelings) personally tell them you are sorry such an event has happened and you want to understand and help them call for help or support as soon as you feel you need it