Trauma - Managing Mental Health Reactions to Major Disasters and Traumas

When to Seek Assistance

When should I seek professional help?

In the vast majority of cases, trauma symptoms such as those described above recede reasonably quickly following the event (i.e. days or weeks). However, some people find that serious problems continue to interfere with daily living. Common examples include continuing to feel overwhelming anxiety or sadness, which in turn may impact upon job performance and interpersonal relationships.

Check which of the following are true for you:

Feeling as if you back in the situation
Feeling as if the event is happening all over again
Avoiding situations, conversations, news articles related to the event
Finding that you are worrying more, even about little issues
Feeling more irritable
Feeling there is a danger or threat
Severe sleep loss or daytime fatigue
Getting angry easily
Feeling frustrated with routines at work
Not feeling like doing anything
Feeling more sad than usual
Drinking more than usual
Considering suicide or harming yourself in some way
Feeling isolated from family and friends
Feeling that upsetting symptoms are not getting better on their own

If you checked any of these items, in addition to the last item, you should seek advice from an ADF Mental Health Professional. They are trained to work with individuals affected by trauma to them find constructive ways of dealing with the emotional impact.