Gun violence is a persistent problem. We all know about the many deaths and injuries attributed to gun violence, but you don’t have to be attacked to feel affected. According to the Anxiety & Depression Association of America, 3.6% of U.S. adults experienced post-traumatic stress disorder in the past year. Many of those occurrences are likely connected to shootings. Learn how trauma therapy can help you cope with the aftermath of those incidents below.
Therapy Manages Strong and Complex Emotions
In the aftermath of a shooting that you witnessed firsthand, you may be saddled with various complicated emotions. One such emotion is referred to as survivor’s guilt. It’s a variation of guilt you may experience if you believe you could’ve done more to help others survive. Survivor’s guilt may also stem from wondering why you were spared when others were not.
Intense rage is another emotion people may experience following a shooting incident. The anger a survivor feels toward the shooter may occupy their mind 24/7. It may be such a dominant presence that they cannot think about anything else.
Slowly but surely, trauma therapy can help you come to grips with such intense emotions. It should also help you develop appropriate coping mechanisms as well as acknowledge those emotions instead of bottling them up.
Therapy Makes Facing Your Fears Easier
Now that you’ve witnessed a shooting in a public setting, the thought of going outside may send chills down your spine. You may have no desire to spend time in any public space with people you don’t know. Those fears of yours may persist until you receive professional help.
Therapy can help you recognize the reality of the situation. While the incident was undeniably tragic, you cannot allow it to take over your life. An experienced counselor can help you face your fears and regain some sense of normalcy.
Therapy Paves the Way for Rebuilding Relationships
Living through a tragic shooting incident may cause you to retreat into an emotional hole only you can enter. You may shut off your loved ones because it’s too difficult for you to maintain those relationships. Through trauma therapy, you can slowly escape that hole. From there, you can start rebuilding relationships with your loved ones.
Dealing with the aftermath of a shooting incident isn’t easy for anyone. Please don’t hesitate to seek help if you need it. Contact Trauma Healing NW today, and let us help you through this challenging period.