Ukraine has been living in a state of full-scale war for 11 months. This means constant danger for civilians living both near the front line and further away from it. Every day we experience enemy attacks on hospitals, schools, residential buildings, so each of us should know how to behave in the event of an attack.
What should you do if you witness a terrorist attack? The answer to this question was prepared by Alex Gershanov, an international trauma expert (Israeli Trauma Coalition).
Above all, observe safe behavior. Do not run in the direction of an explosion or shooting unless you are a medic, rescuer or psychological first aid specialist. Remember that there is a threat of repeated attacks in the same place in a short period of time. You can also hinder the work of rescue and other special services.
If you or someone around you has a physical injury – a wound, a loud noise in the head, sharp pain without visible damage or injury, bruising without pain – seek medical help immediately. In most cases, due to the high level of stress hormones, a person does not feel pain and, for example, can walk for a day with a fracture.
Reactions that occur after experiencing a terrorist attack include:
- crying, screaming, tears,
- freezing and “freezing” of emotions,
- increased emotionality,
- increased irritability,
- violation of physiological functions: sleep, appetite, functioning of the excretory system
are normal. At the same time, you need to pay attention to the intensity of their manifestation within three to four weeks.
If the intensity of these reactions does not decrease, it is necessary to consult a specialist – a general practitioner, or a psychologist, or in some cases a psychiatrist.
During this period (up to 3-4 weeks), social support is very important:
- Talk to loved ones, talk about what happened. Remember, because of your experience, your loved ones also become the “second circle” of witnesses to a terrorist attack. They also experience stress reactions, however, by restoring the most complete picture of the event, they reduce the level of anxiety. Therefore, when talking about the event, try to focus primarily on the facts.
- Return to your daily activities as soon as possible, if you are not physically injured, continue with the activities or route you were on before the terrorist attack. Maintaining continuity is the key to the fastest recovery
- Remember what always helped you to recover your strength – what did you do to “recharge your battery”? It can be anything that gives you strength, confidence, relaxation.
Remember! Alcohol does not relieve acute stress, because against the background of a hormonal surge, it does not perform the function of relaxation.
