Tool 7 [CISP] Page 1 of 2
Coping after a Traumatic Incident
Questions and Answers for Colleagues
1. Who are these Questions & Answers for?
For our colleagues witness to or involved in robberies, assaults or First Aiders/drivers who have had accidents.
2. Why is this guidance important to me?
This guide will help you understand the possible thoughts, feelings and reactions to the recent incident in which you were involved; reduce your distress as much as possible; help you start to get over the experience and when to seek further help
3. How you may feel after an incident?
You may experience some or all of the feelings described below. Some feelings may happen immediately, others may appear later as a delayed reaction. These feelings are normal reaction. You are not losing control.
Fear
· Feeling vulnerable – not wanting to be left alone.· New fears & worries may start
· Fear of losing control or breaking down
· Fear of similar incident happening again
· Fear of what could have happened.
· Fear & mistrust – feeling that everyone is potentially the attacker.
· Frightened by sudden noise and crowds.
/Physical Effects
· Palpitations of the heart, rapid breathing, lump in the throat· Tremors, shaking, sweating
· Diarrhoea, vomiting, constipation
· Loss of appetite or comfort eating
· Headaches, backaches, dizziness, muscle tension
Numbness
· Withdrawal from feelings
· Withdrawal from people and activities
· Behaving as though nothing has happened /
Feeling low
· Sadness for injuries and losses.· Feeling helpless – not feeling in control.
· Loss of ability to enjoy life.
Guilt/Helpless
· Helpless that you could do nothing about it· Guilty that the damage/injury occurred.
· Guilty that someone else was injured/at risk.
· Guilty that you survived & not injured
· Guilty you did not react differently.
/Anger
· Towards colleagues who were involved.· Towards the company/customers.
· Towards family and friends for not understanding how you are feeling.
· Towards yourself for the incident occurring.
· Increased irritability
4. What should I NOT do?
· Don’t expect to forget all about the incident – it happened but it won’t remain at the front of your mind forever.
· Don’t bottle up feelings. Talk about the event with people you feel will give you the support that you need but only when you want to.
· Don’t refuse support just because you feel embarrassed or guilty – it is natural to need support at this time.
· Don’t take on too much – you need time to come to terms with what has happened.
· Don’t make any major life changes. Try to keep your life as normal as possible, stick to familiar routines.
· Don’t use drink or drugs to block out painful memories.
Remember - Accidents are more common after severe stressful experiences.
Tool 7 [CISP] Page 2 of 2
5. Take Care of Yourself
Taking care of yourself does take some effort when you feel preoccupied with the experience you have had.
· Eat regularly – if you can’t face big meals, try to eat small amounts regularly.
· Drink plenty of water – try to ensure that you do not increase your intake of tea and coffee. Caffeine in excess may make you feel worse.
· Exercise – try to get out and take some exercise. This will help you sleep and may take your mind off the experience.
· Try and reduce muscle tension by having a good soak in a warm bath.
· Sleep – try to stick to your normal night time routine. If you can’t sleep, don’t lie there worrying about it, get up and do something, then go back to bed when you are tired. A warm milky drink may help.
· Be careful around the home and when you are driving
Remember - Traumatic experiences put demands on your body. Physical, mental and emotional resources are all affected by coping with what has happened.
6. What else may I be involved in related to the incident?
By the time you read this guidance, you may have already given a statement to your manager or the Police depending on the type of incident. The Police usually try to take your statement as soon as possible because over time memories get confused and distorted. If you do have to go to the police station at a later date and are concerned regarding this, talk to your Line Manager or Personnel Manager who will be able to arrange support.
Depending on the type of incident there may be media attention. This may feel intrusive. Again talk to your manager if the pressure is getting too much. Don’t think you have to cope or respond to everyone who asks you about the incident.
7. When should I seek help?
· If you have nightmares and cannot sleep.
· If you have no one to share your feelings with and you want to do so.
· If you cannot handle your feelings and feel overwhelmed by sadness, anxiety or nervousness
· If you get on badly with those close to you.
· If you are drinking or smoking too much or using drugs to cope with your feelings.
· If you have accidents.
· If your work performance is affected.
· If you stay away from other people more and more
· If you continue to withdraw from other people
8. What can I expect in the future?
The incident you have experienced will slowly fade over time. If it does not, do seek help. For most people the incident becomes something that happened to them, not something that occupies their every waking thought.
If the attacker is caught or if you have to appear in court or if you read/see depictions of other incidents, whether real or fictional, it is likely to bring back some of the feelings experienced after the incident. This is to be expected but these feelings should soon pass.
9. Where can I get further help?
Your Line Manager or Personnel Manager will talk to you about how you are feeling and arrange further counselling support if this is needed via the Tesco Occupational Health Service.
Alternatively, you may wish to seek help from your doctor or other helping professionals e.g. Victim Support.
Document: Critical Incident Support Process - Colleague Q&A’s Tesco Stores Limited
Author: Occupational Health Occupational Health
Last Updated: November 2013
Review Date: November 2016