Coping with the Trauma of Sudden Death

The inconceivable happens - a special person dies in an unexpected and traumatic way. This may be a family member, a co-worker, a friend, or the neighbor down the street…The cause can be murder, suicide, car accident, natural or man made disasters or combat.

Things that Help
The signs and symptoms of a stress reaction may last a few days, a few weeks, a few months, or longer, depending on the severity of the traumatic death. The understanding and support of family and friends can help the stress reactions pass more quickly. There are a number of things that can help during this very difficult time.

· Maintain as normal a schedule as possible (as impossible as it seems); structure your time
· Follow the basics for good health (even when you don’t feel like it) – rest, eat well, exercise
· Reduce other stressors as much as possible - make to do lists, be patient with yourself when you can’t find your keys, limit distractions that might interfere with concentration
· Be aware of numbing the pain with overuse of drugs or alcohol; go easy on caffeine
· Talk to people – reach out, spend time with others
· Do things that feel good to you – take a walk, listen to music, keep a feelings journal, etc.
· Give yourself permission to feel the pain and share these feelings with others
· Don't feel the need to fight reoccurring thoughts, dreams or flashbacks; they are normal and will decrease overtime and become less painful