Dealing with Emotional Responses after First Aid
Understanding Emotional Impact
After responding to a first aid emergency, especially involving CPR and AED use, individuals often experience various emotional responses.
- Feelings of Overwhelm: The entire experience can leave you feeling overwhelmed.
- Doubt and Reflection: It may lead to doubts about your skills and decisions made during the incident.
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): PTSD affects people differently and can persist for varying durations post-event.
Effects of PTSD
Common effects of PTSD include:
- Flashbacks
- Nightmares
- Panic attacks
- Depression
- Fear and stress
- Short temper
- Personality changes
- Avoidance behaviours
These symptoms may alter behaviour and cause avoidance of triggering situations.
Guidance on Coping with PTSD
The World College of Psychiatrists offers guidance:
- Talk Therapy: Discuss the incident with a counsellor, friend, doctor, or family member.
- Maintain Normalcy: Keep regular life patterns to prevent the incident from dominating your life.
- Return to the Scene: Consider revisiting the location and discussing the event with others present.
- Exercise Caution: Be mindful, especially when driving, if concentration is affected.
- Seek Professional Help: Consult a medical professional if symptoms become overwhelming.
Coping with the Outcome
Reflect positively on your actions:
- Do Your Best: In a medical emergency, all you can do is your best.
- Focus on Helping: Take pride in the fact that your actions helped someone in need.
Remember, your intervention can make a significant difference, despite the emotional aftermath.