April 2018

COMMUNITY
COPING with Psychological Trauma
by Jessica J. Ruiz, Psy.D.
On February 14 the City of Parkland was forever transformed
following a tragic school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas
High School. This traumatic event shook the fabric of a peaceful
community and spurred a variety of responses from all of those
affected. Understanding trauma, the effects on those impacted
by traumatic events, and the importance of developing healthy
coping strategies can lessen the psychological impact of trauma
and in many cases, prevent the development of more severe
and long-lasting post traumatic reactions.
What is Trauma?
Trauma is the psychological response to an event that threatens
our physical and/or psychological safety. Some common
traumatic events
include being
exposed to physical
or sexual abuse,
natural disasters,
vehicular accidents,
terrorist attacks, and
war. Most individuals
will experience at
least one significant
traumatic event in
their lifetime. While most individuals will not develop long-lasting
post-traumatic symptoms, some studies indicate that 10 to 20
percent of individuals exposed to extremely stressful events may
go on to develop Acute Stress Disorder and/or Post Traumatic
Stress Disorder (PTSD).
What are Common Responses to a
traumatic event?
Individual responses to traumatic events can vary and manifest
themselves differently in children, teens and adults. Some
people report feeling scared and fearful, unpredictable shifts in
emotions, irritability, anger, grief, and depression. Additionally,
some physical reactions include feeling “keyed up,” jumpy,
and hypervigilant. This physiological arousal can also affect
sleep, appetite, and concentration. These symptoms can last
from a few days to a few months before noticing a return to
previous levels of functioning. However, if these symptoms do
not improve, or worsen, and are
severe enough to interfere with
work, school, family, and other key
areas of life, professional help from
a trauma-informed therapist may
be useful.
• Intense fear and feeling unsafe
• Avoiding places and situations
associated to the event
• Hypervigilance, panic
• Difficulty sleeping, nightmares
• Intrusive thoughts, memories and/
or images of the event
• Deep sadness, grief, survivor’s guilt
• Unpredictable emotions, irritability, rage/anger
• Feeling numb, detached, social isolation
• Risky behaviors, substance use
• Headaches, stomach aches
What can you do to cope with trauma?
There are many things you can do to cope with the effects of
trauma. First, consider coping strategies that have worked for
you in the past when faced with stressful events and also be
open to trying something new. Some helpful tips include:
• Understand that what you and your family members are
feeling are normal reactions to an abnormal event
• Return to your daily routines as soon as possible
• Try to not avoid places and situations that remind you of the
event as this could actually increase anxiety and delay
recovery
• Be patient and compassionate with yourself and those
affected
• Try to find activities that bring a sense of relaxation and calm
• Exercise and participate in recreational activities
• Seek out opportunities to connect with others
• Avoid unhealthy coping strategies such as alcohol and
drug use
• Recognize if you need professional assistance
Where can I go for help?
If you have been affected by trauma and are seeking
professional assistance, locating a professional
that is trauma-informed and has experience
working with individuals affected by trauma
is important. P
Jessica J. Ruiz, Psy.D. is Chief Psychologist
& Director of Clinical Training for Behavioral
Health Associates of Broward, Counseling
Centers of Goodman JFS.
18
APRIL 2018