While professional help is available to Barticians, the people themselves have already begun to address their own psychological needs by mourning their dead, meeting with officials and leaders, and gathering to talk and support one another. Unfortunately, the wounds caused by this attack run deep and will not heal quickly. Here are a few basic facts to help in the recovery process.
Facts about trauma: A traumatic event is one beyond the ordinary, and usually hits at more than one level. For instance, in the Guyana floods, people lost loved ones, homes and livelihoods all at once. In Bartica, in the space of one hour, people lost loved ones and neighbours, peace of mind, and the freedom to walk about securely in their own community. Also, very few people have just one trauma in their lives. For some, fresh events awaken old wounds, so no trauma ever occurs all by itself.
Grief and loss: These are the after-effects of trauma. One cannot immediately feel very much at all, but the first feelings to appear are a heaviness of heart, a deep sense of loss, a sorrow that has no name. This is unavoidable, and can be tolerated better if we know that it comes from the trauma and, in time, will lessen. First, people feel numb, then they feel pain, grief, and loss. It is not easy.
Basic understandings of responses to trauma:
1. The body has a nervous system that has two main parts: one part (central nervous system) we are in charge of. We can decide when to walk, eat, talk, move, etc. The other part (autonomic nervous system) operates on its own. We are not in charge of our breathing, digesting food, heart pumping, etc. When people are traumatized or terrorized, the autonomic nervous system sets in motion a whole set of body changes needed to either run away, or stay and fight ( the “flight or fight” response). The body is wise to do this, but the problem is that this part of the nervous system continues to do these things long after the trauma is over. The result is that people still feel as frightened as if the events were still happening, and their bodies remain in the “flight or fight” mode long afterwards. The adrenaline pumps long after it is needed, and keeps people in high gear, unable to settle down.
This means they will not sleep well, they will be on edge, they may be irritable, quick to anger, etc. Their nerves will be raw. All these things are part of what is a good mechanism, but it can wear people out after a while. In time, they may even become depressed and exhausted from being afraid. The main point is that no one can shut this down at will.
Practical Steps: People need to be flexible and understanding of themselves and others until gradually their nerves (literally) settle down. Use soothing lullabies and bedtime stories for children, to calm them. Try harder to get along. Think twice before taking out your temper on another. Make an effort to slow down. Do not punish children for not sleeping or behaving as usual. Be as reasonable and cool as you can.
2. After a trauma, many people have the urge to do something to make themselves feel better. What they choose will depend on the personalities they had before the trauma, as well as how closely they were affected by it. Some will pray, but others may seek their spirit in a bottle, self medicating with alcohol, or drugs. These are not good choices since alcohol, in the long run, is a mood depressant, and drugs create more problems than they solve. With alcohol, for instance, while the first effect is to feel good or better, the final effect is to feel worse. Many people would make a better choice if they knew better.
Others may find relief in getting angry, putting the anger they feel at the criminals onto those close at hand. This results in an increase in domestic violence. People can cool down better if they remember that most of the anger they feel is not really at the wife, husband, child, or neighbour, but at the ones not there, the ones who attacked their community.
Practical steps: Do not count on alcohol or drugs to get you through. Be smart about where your anger is coming from. Watch the faces of those around you to know if you are out of control. Seek help if your loved ones look afraid of you.
3. Group Behaviours and Reactions: In groups, the anger of individuals may result in aggressive talk, threats, even riots, but it can also be channelled into tackling problems of security, seeing to the welfare of others, setting up citizens’ groups, creating social change. These feelings of aggression and the wish to strike back are normal, will not go away, and ought to be harnessed rather than discouraged. They are best dealt with upfront and in positive ways.
Practical Steps: Hold meetings, talk and listen, make this a turning point for citizen action and good leadership to rise to the occasion. Set aside personal wishes and agendas for the common good.
4. After trauma, people will be hypervigilant. While this is locking the barn door after the horse is stolen, it is normal and it settles the nerves to take steps to restore as much security as possible. All people should be encouraged to see to their security needs, and no one should be judged foolish for trying to feel safe. One cannot prevent against every possibility, but it is always better to take action than to feel victimized by fears.
Practical Steps: Increased police protection, more citizen involvement in watching out for others, extra precautions in daily life as needed, maximum cooperation.
5. People need to talk, to express, to repeat the story over and over again. This is very helpful, as what they are trying to do is to understand the unthinkable. Some people do this talk out loud, some in their heads, but everyone is doing it in one way or another. The mind is busy constantly, on its own, trying to comprehend what has happened. As a result of this preoccupation, children cannot learn as well, and adults cannot concentrate and may have increased memory problems. This will not last forever, but is an unavoidable after effect of trauma.
Practical Steps: School, yes, but mastering more difficult new material will not be possible. Adults need backup checks on complex tasks. Everyone needs patience, with themselves and others.
6. Most people will recover, though a loss of innocence will remain. Some few may not recover fully. What makes the difference in the recovery of individuals and communities is getting enough support of the right kind, as soon as possible, and for as long as needed. People need to reach out to others and not allow anyone to be isolated by their grief and fear. Churches, temples, and mosques can be very helpful throughout the recovery process, as they combine the healing aspects of their faith traditions with social gatherings. Time alone does not heal but rather what we do in that time. In the end, we heal each other.
Practical Steps: Public healing rituals, interfaith gatherings, games and activities for children to return to play despite fear and sadness. Frequent contact with elected leaders and visible proof that security needs are taken seriously. Outreach efforts to those who belong to no religion.
