24 May 2012
How to cope emotionally
During or following the emergency you may experience a range of physical, behavioural and emotional reactions. This is common and normal.
You may react in a number of ways:
- Shock or disbelief
- Fear anxiety, including shaking, nausea & diarrhoea
- Guilt or shame
- Helplessness or hope
- Horror
- Depression, anger and grief
These reactions may change, be delayed or may not occur – everyone reacts differently. There may be a need for immediate social and psychological support for some people affected by a major emergency.
In some children the distress of being involved in a major incident can last for months. Parents and teachers who note a change in a child’s behaviour, following a major incident, should seek professional advice as soon as possible.
