Staying Mentally and Emotionally Strong (Part 1)

30+ days after the Boston Marathon, Bostonians and residents in surrounding areas have adopted mantras of being strong as a result of the bombing tragedy that claimed lives, cause injuries and left many individuals emotionally scarred. Part of living a life of strength and resilience means we must acknowledge the impact of trauma in our lives and how to move forward. Sometimes talking about and treating our emotional pain is more challenging than dealing with visible wounds. It's okay to hurt, to be afraid, to feel guilt, to be confused and experience a range of mood swings. It's not safe to isolate yourself, it's not healthy to minimize your feelings and chastise yourself. After traumatic events such as the Marathon Bombing, losing a loved one through violence, or experiencing/witnessing something tragic or violent it is extremely common to experience PTSD – post traumatic stress disorder.

PTSD is an anxiety disorder associated with serious traumatic events and characterized by such symptoms as survivor guilt, reliving the trauma in dreams, numbness and lack of involvement with reality, or recurrent thoughts and images. It occurs when: (1) the person has experienced, witnessed, or been confronted with an event or events that involve actual or threatened death or serious injury, or a threat to the physical integrity of oneself or others. (2) The person's response involved intense fear, helplessness, or horror. Note: in children, it may be expressed instead by disorganized or agitated behavior. 

So how do you stay mentally strong and survive? One of the ways we become resilient is by relying on our support systems such as family, places of worship, friends and activities we find relaxing. Engaging in activities that we enjoy, help us to relax and allow us to operate in our natural talents is a way to build and maintain our strength. Sometimes we don't feel like talking about our hurt, and we're anxious to move on. The risk in moving on quickly without acknowledging your emotions is similar to someone having a near fatal injury and refusing medical attention – eventually the issue gets worst and will require more invasive treatment when it is finally addressed.

If you're feeling withdrawn or having trouble sleeping, consider journaling, meditating or praying, talking with a trusted individual such as a counselor/therapist, clergy member who is experienced in counseling or even a close friend. You're not alone in your feelings. After tragedy strikes there's the initial PTSD within the first 90 days (acute PTSD). That happens to those who visually or audibly witnessed or was part of something traumatic or who felt the threat of danger (physically and/or emotionally). Many are impacted secondarily because our community was impacted and the threat of danger extended to a wide range.

Part 2 of "Staying Mentally and Emotionally Strong" will continue with more tips on dealing with PTSD and also identifying symptoms you should not ignore. If you're in crisis please get help by calling your doctor or therapist. On the back of most health insurance cards is a number for a mental health line. Or, call 2-1-1 and ask for a mental health provider in your area.

Prayer: Jehovah, we believe you're our provider in all things. We ask that you would strengthen our minds and as we're stretched emotionally in our respective situations we would become resilient and be return to a normal level of functioning. Work a miracle in our minds, our lives and community. We believe that your son Jesus is the balm of Gilead and we ask for Your healing virtue to flow in our lives and our community. We thank You in all things, even in our time of loss we thank You that you've given us an opportunity to grow. Amen.

For additional prayer and support please call:
781-963-5100 or visit: http://tabernacleofpraisemin.org