1. Post Harvey Disaster Debriefing
FB4C Counseling Center Team September 2017

2. Psychological Traumatic Response
Trauma Definition:
Trauma is the result of an experience which is essentially disruptive and chaotic to the individual at spiritual, cognitive, emotional, and physical levels. Trauma symptoms may continue for a long time after the triggering event has passed.

3. Trauma Risk Factors
 The traumatic experience was unexpected.  The victim has experienced past traumas.  The experience happened repeatedly, or over a prolonged period of time.
 The trauma occurred during childhood.  Feeling of helplessness during the experience.  The victim is dealing with other major stressors, unrelated to the trauma.

4. Traumatic or Post-trauma response symptoms
1. insomnia
2.nightmares
3.frustration
4. More easily startled by sounds, actions
5.Irritability, anger, prone to depression

5. Symptoms
6. Emotional instability, ups and downs 7. self-blame, guilt, fear of making the wrong decision 8. Fear of scenes that might trigger disaster- related memories 9. Tightness in the body 10. Impaired memory 11. Intrusive thoughts, difficulty concentrating

6. Reactions 1. Re-experiencing a. Strong emotions
b. Physical discomforts (fatigue, headache, digestion issues)
c. nightmares
d. Loss of hope, helplessness

7. Reactions 2. Hyperarousal Easily frightened, restless insomnia
Feelings of threat
Difficulty in concentrating

8. Reactions 3. Numbness Withdrawing from environment, people
Alcoholism, drug use, over-eating
Emotionally flat, “in a fog”
Embarrassment, low self-esteem, shame

9. Positive Coping
1. Talk with spouse, relatives, loved ones, it is ok to cry
2. Pray for guidance, ask others for prayer
3. Talk to pastors, professionals (doctors, counselors)
4. Listen to music, read Scriptures, do something creative
5. Make an action plan, consider several alternative solutions, prepare for the worst
6. Avoid worrying; choose to believe that things will get better

10. Positive Coping
7. When angry, vent to others 8. Keep busy, but schedule rest 9. Develop good physical, mental habits 10. Drink plenty of water 11. Eat healthy

11. 12. Take small steps, get back into a normal routine
13. Journal thoughts and feelings
14. Draw on strength of past experiences (“God has brought me through in the past..)
15. Put off making any big decisions or life changes
16. Take things one day at a time.

12. Scriptures to Meditate on
Ps. 91 “I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and fortress.”
Ps. 131 “I have stilled and quieted my soul…”
Phil 4:6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Phil 4:8 “…whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pre, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.”
1 Pet. 5:7 “Cast all your anxiety on Him because he cares for you.”
2 Tim. 1:7 “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline.”
James 1:2-3 “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.”

13. What Family and Friends can do:
Accept common trauma reactions as normal
Provide physical, emotional, and spiritual support
Listen and encourage
Help them seek resources, counseling services, insurance information
Be careful not to spread fake news (increasing stress)
Nurture yourself. Take care of yourself in the process of helping others

14. Spiritual Care
Be honest and open with God. Don’t be afraid to ask the difficult questions (i.e. “Where was God?)
Develop deeper awareness of and trust in God
Create meaning together as a community (i.e. “as a result of this, we realize the importance of life and unity. We will use this experience to examine our values more closely.”)
Our experiences will become blessings to others

15. Recovery Takes a Long Time
Love is patient; love is kind.

16. Group Discussion Time
Listen to each other's experiences; remember everyone’s experience is valid
Show support through eye contact
Do not interrupt, do not give advice and evaluation
Focus on emotional and physical symptoms
Avoid digressing into logistics (how to repair the house, apply for insurance, etc.)
Share sharing time
Confidentiality, keep sharing within the group

17. Resources