Chattanooga, Tenn. – The scene may be cleared, but for first responders who cared for the children and transported them to local hospitals last week, the process of coping with the event is far from over.
Parkridge Valley Behavioral Health providers encouraged people in the community to support first responders, who may experience a profound and persisting reaction, noted Parkridge Valley psychiatrist and Medical Director Susan K. McGuire, M.D.
“Acute stress reactions can occur not only with those who were directly involved in the traumatic event but also with family members and first responders,” Dr. McGuire said. “Sometimes acute symptoms go away quickly, but other times they persist.”
Emotional and physical symptoms of acute stress can appear immediately or as many as three to four days after a traumatic event. Stress reactions can manifest as anxiety, irregular moods, irritability, sadness, stress, inability to sleep, nightmares, flashbacks and lapses in concentration. Physical symptoms – such as heart palpitations, shortness of breath and other breathing difficulties, gastrointestinal discomfort and nausea – can present similarly to a mild anxiety attack.
The first line of defense against such disruptive reactions to stress is to try to restore typical sleep patterns and appetite,” Dr. McGuire said. “Primary care providers can help with short-term solutions such as medications, but if the acute stress reaction persists, a clinical assessment for cognitive behavioral therapy or counseling may be indicated.”
An adverse reaction to stress may cause people to isolate themselves from anything that may trigger a recurrence of their symptoms, which may lead them to withdraw from others. While research shows that talking about a traumatic event can significantly help process feelings, friends and loved ones should allow the individual experiencing an acute stress reaction to direct the conversation.
“Support individuals as much as possible and allow them to talk at their own pace about how they experienced the community tragedy,” Dr. McGuire said. “Creating a supportive environment helps the individual feel validated and encourages the coping process.”
If you, a family member or friend is experiencing symptoms of an acute stress reaction and would like to schedule an appointment with a specialist, call the RESPOND line at (423) 499-2300.