Parkland School Shooting is an event that happened on 14th of February, 2018. News has it that former student who had been expelled shot students and staff members with a semi-automatic rifle after pulling a fire alarm. In this event, he succeeds in killing seventeen (17) people, and fourteen (14) others were injured. This event is the deadliest High School shooting in U.S. history.
The Emotional and Psychological Trauma is the result of extraordinarily stressful events that shatter your sense of security and make you feel helpless in a dangerous world. Traumatic experiences often involve a threat to life or safety. Any situation that leaves you overwhelmed and isolated can be traumatic, even if it does not involve physical harm. It is not objective facts that determine whether an event is traumatic, but your subjective emotional experience of the event. The more frightened and helpless you feel, the more likely you are to be traumatized.
While traumatic experiences often involve life-threatening events, any situation that leaves one alone and wholly overwhelmed can be traumatic, even without physical harm. It is vital to note that it is not only the objective facts of the event that determine how traumatic an event is. It is also the subjective emotional experience of the event. Often, the more terror and impotence one feels, the more likely an individual becomes traumatized.
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HOW THE PARKLAND SCHOOL SHOOTING CAN CAUSE EMOTIONAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA
The Parkland School Shooting and other similar cases such as fires, earthquakes, rape, child abuse, car accident, etc. are potential traumatic event that is both powerful and disruptive that intrude on the daily life of a human. In general terms, potentially traumatic events like that of Florida School Shutting and Marshall County High School shooting imply a significant threat to psychological and physical well-being. Traumatic events can be life-threatening; to the life of the victims or life of their loved ones.
These cases may have a minimal impact on an individual but may cause significant distress in another. The effect of the shooting that occurred at Parkland School can be correlated to the mental health of the person, past traumatic experiences, the presence of coping skills and the level of emotional and social support at the time of the potentially traumatic event.
CHECK OUT FOR THIS SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF EMOTIONAL TRAUMA
People react to trauma in different ways, experiencing a wide range of physical and emotional reactions. There is no exact way to think, feel or respond, so do not judge your own or other people’s reactions.
Victims of Parkland School Shooting may experience strong emotional reactions immediately after the experience of the event. Most people will notice that their feelings will dissipate over the course of a few days or weeks. However, for some people, the symptoms of psychological trauma can be increasingly severe and last longer.
EMOTIONAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SYMPTOMS:
Emotional symptoms are:
- Withdrawal from others
- Feeling hopeless, shock
- Denial confusion
- Difficulty concentrating, mood swings
- Anxiety, and fear, self-blame, anger, irritability, etc.
PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS
Physical symptoms victims may experience are:
- Heartbeat racing
- Muscle tension
- Nightmares
- Fatigue
- Problematic to focus, etc.
Trauma symptoms usually last from a few days to a few months, gradually disappearing as you process the disturbing event. But even when you feel better, from time to time you may experience painful memories/emotions. This occurs when we respond to triggers such as an anniversary of the event or something that reminds you of the trauma.
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Survivors and other students of Parkland School may/will be having an atom of fear when they are in the school. Same goes for their parents who may be afraid that similar issue may occur again.
To quickly eradicate fear, it is advisable to increase security personnel in the school. By doing this, students and their parents will gradually get over the case. The school can organize social activities. Students should be advised to do things that have nothing do with the traumatic experience.
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HOW TO RECOVER FROM TRAUMATIC EVENT
After experiencing a traumatic event, the next question should be how do I recover from Trauma? What do I do to get myself going?
Below, I will be giving you my favorite tips to recover from Trauma in no time. See below
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GIVE YOURSELF A TREAT (EAT HEALTHY FOOD)
The food victims eat can improve or worsen their mood and affect their ability to cope with traumatic stress. Conversely, consuming a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, good protein and healthy fats, especially omega-3. That will help them better cope with the ups and downs that follow such tragic event. Eating a diet full of processed and ease foods, refined carbohydrates and sugary snacks can make the symptoms of traumatic stress worse.
BE OPTIMISTIC
Seeing the positive side of things increases your ability to experience happiness in your daily life while helping you cope with stress in a better way.
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Staying connected with people who make you feel loved is effective way to recover from trauma Click To TweetSTAY CONNECTED
Having relationships in which you feel loved and supported helps you feel connected and accepted. This also promotes a more positive mood. Intimate relationships help you meet your emotional needs. So, aim to approach other people to develop and cultivate these relationships in your life.
ACCEPT YOURSELF
To demand too much, as well as self-critical thoughts will fill your mind with negativity and increase your stress levels. Find and adopt your positive traits. Both your person and your life and avoid comparing yourself with the people around you.
PRACTICE AWARENESS
Practicing awareness or “full consciousness” means paying attention actively to the moment in which you are. Instead of letting the mind wander, when it pays attention, it manages to live the moment and avoid distraction or negative thoughts in its mind without falling into its emotional implications.
Mindfulness can help you reduce stress to increase your well-being, as well as to concentrate without distractions.
CONCLUSION
Trauma is caused by an extraordinarily stressful event and can be managed by following the methods mentioned above of recovery which will help you relieve some of the stress and tension you feel.
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