Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Some people may say “This will hit me later.” They should be reassured (or informed)
that indeed it will hit them later and that emotional responses may require time and talking
out.
During the stage corresponding to the despair phase of the grief reaction, 90 percent
of the individuals involved in accidents become aware of problems but regard them as
overwhelming and unbearable. Tightening of muscles, sweating, restlessness, difficulty in
speaking, sadness and weeping, irritability and anger, or passive dependency and childlike
behavior are manifestations of strong emotions. Some persons develop a zombielike gaze,
staring ahead blankly. Many need to tell and retell the experience.
During the stage corresponding to the detachment phase of the grief reaction, individu-
als begin to return to normal, accept their problems, and make efforts to solve them. They
are more hopeful and confident, and emotions from the second stage are less intense.
The final phase of a disaster takes place six to twelve months after the incident and may
consist of a lifetime of personal and social aftereffects of the incident.
The normal reaction after recovery from an accident is to return to normal activities. A
sense of well-being returns, and individuals are able to make decisions and act on them.
Griefthatwasencounteredissuccessfullyworkedthrough.Manysurvivorsdevelopaltered
attitudes toward life and death and display a definite philosophical mellowing and growth.
Abnormal reactions occur occasionally and have been labeled the “delayed stress syn-
drome.” The characteristics of this disorder are PTSD, psychosomatic or physical illness,
depression, proneness to accidents, accidental death, or suicide. People often need profes-
sional counseling to work out the problems of this syndrome. However, proper emotion-
al support during rescue can significantly reduce the severity of such disorders or prevent
them altogether.
Abnormal Responses to Accidents
Abnormal psychological reactions to accidents may affect four functional areas:
Orientation to time, place, and person
Observable motor and physical acts
Verbal behavior
Emotional or affective expression
Since typical abnormal behavior patterns are rather easily recognized, they are outlined
without further discussion.
ORIENTATION
Mild Derangement (adequately aware of time, place, events, and person)
Dazed, confused
Minor difficulty understanding what is being said
Minor difficulty thinking clearly or concentrating
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