Trauma and PTSD

Traumatic losses such as the death of a loved one to suicide are far outside of what we normally expect in life.  They cause us to question our beliefs about safety, and shatter our fundamental assumptions of the world.

The reactions of suicide survivors commonly include and go beyond normal grief reactions in severity and duration. Many survivors experience symptoms of post traumatic stress. Typically, these are normal responses to abnormal events. Recovery from these symptoms is a gradual process. It does not happen through "insight" or "cure." For most survivors, as time goes on, reactions become fewer and less intense. Some survivors have a more difficult time healing. They develop more severe and lasting symptoms which are diagnosed as "Post Traumatic Stress Disorder" (PTSD). There are many positive ways to cope with symptoms of trauma and professional, therapeutic help is available as well.  Read more on: "PTSD Diagnosis" Read more on: "positive coping actions"

I thought I was immortal.  That my family and children were also.   That tragedy only happened to others.  Iris Bolton Following the loss, many survivors report that they experience the following difficulties: • Distressing recollections of the death • Distressing dreams about the event • A feeling of reliving the experience • Feeling numb • Feeling emotionally detached from other people • Always feeling "on guard" • Difficulty working • Difficulty in social situations • Difficulty falling or staying asleep • Irritability or outbursts of anger • Difficulty concentrating • Hypervigilance