What To Do The First 48 Hours After A Traumatic Event?

[Justmehere]

A new traumatic event happened this afternoon. Someone I know did something unexpected and awful. I don't want to share what they did - not yet. I thought I was going to die. I lived. I got help at the ER. I made a report to police. Was almost retraumatized by the ER.

I'm going home now. I'm safe now. I'm having flashbacks and intrusive memories of past trauma.

I was finally in a solid place, finally doing better in a steady way and then this. I'm most upset that it made the ptsd worse!

I am struggling to figure out what the best things are to do right after trauma to lessen or eliminate any long term impact or increase in ptsd symptoms.

Any ideas or suggestions? I'm so rattled.

 

[falling_wave]

For me getting it out helps. Talking to someone trained and writing are good because if all those feelings stay inside they lodge and build. I'm so sorry this happened to you.

 

[Dana1010]

Yeah, anything to avoid the freeze state which tends to lead to PTSD more than fight or flight. Try to process, talk about it, make changes that make you feel empowered and in control (maybe cutting this person off completely). Fight the belief that you are a helpless victim, do something to complete your response to the threat, don't get stuck mid-response.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

Say screw everything else and put all of your effort into self care!

Whatever you do, don't talk to that person.....consider not having contact with them ever again.

 

[InvisibleSun]

Getting help and talking it out are the two most important things you can do at such an early stage of recovery from your trauma. Allow yourself to feel and process these emotions now so that you can hopefully reduce any future emotional and psychological damage. So sorry this happened..

 

[Ed Norton]

Not to seem simplistic but my psychologist said that after a traumatic experience you should get benzodiazepines immediately.

 

[Friday]

Just to clarify...

Is there new trauma or did someone else's trauma kick you into a hell of an anxiety attack / flashback series, etc.?

 

[StarChild]

Hi @Ed Norton, did your psychologist explain why one should get benzodiazepines immediately? What is their benefit, when taken shortly after a traumatic event? Or is it to prevent something? Your answer would be very appreciated.

 

[Ed Norton]

Dear @TreeHugger, my psychologist and I were discussing PTSD prevention, because I told him that I think that my PTSD was preventable if I had gotten appropriate care afterwards. He subsequently told me about a study of ER mass casualty survivors/accident survivors who end up in critical care. Where he said that giving them klonopin immediately after the trauma was found to reduce the incidence of PTSD.

This made me very curious, so, I looked it up and found a specific article in 'psychiatric times' regarding just such a study. Unfortunately, one must become a member in order to see the study but it is free and it's a very short registration process.

Here's the link Link Removed

 

[hodge]

I'm so sorry you've gone through a new trauma, Justmehere. I think getting to a therapist as soon as possible would be good to work on processing it as soon as possible and, perhaps, an anti-anxiety med, too, as Ed said.

 

[barefoot]

So sorry to hear you've had this experience. I think first and foremost, prioritise whatever self-care works for you in terms of helping you feel safe and grounded. Whether that's holing up by yourself with a blanket and your favourite film, getting outside into nature, doing some exercise, being in the company of people you love...I don't think there is one general 'right' way to respond - it's whatever works for you. So try to connect and really listen to yourself and what it is you really need. And then give yourself permission to give yourself that.

I'd also echo what others have said - that getting it out somehow might be more helpful to you than keeping it in, holding it by yourself and potentially then keeping you stuck in a freeze response. Even if you don't feel able to share what exactly happened at the moment, sharing with the right someone (relative/friend/therapist) that something did would be a positive step, I think, just so you're not holding everything alone. And if saying anything about it at this stage really feels impossible, try journaling just for yourself - it can help you to process your own thoughts and feelings and stops the event from just getting stuck in your head.

Take good care of yourself.

 

[Justmehere]

It was a brand new trauma - reported to the police who arrested the person.

What happened when I went to the ER to be examined and have injuries treated, that stirred up old traumas - although my friend thinks I was treated so badly there that it is a new trauma there too. Eh. It's not the same as the first ecent that was reported to police.

Thanks for the good ideas everyone. I'm shaky and will write more soon.