Tending to the tragedies of others can result in psychological distress that can leave first responders and rescue workers in an unhealthy state of mind. Psychological distress can take many forms and those who are affected can begin to withdraw from their own daily lives and isolate themselves while trying to deal with their issues.
In many cases, it is the family members and close friends who realize their loved one is suffering. After witnessing the many tragedies emergency workers face on a daily basis, some will have great difficulties trying to maintain a normal life and a healthy state of mind. It is important for those who recognize the signs of distress in their loved one to be encouraging and lend support to get their loved one help.
It is vital that those who are traumatized by rescue events during a tragedy learn to cope with the situation. It will become especially important to take care of their physical health as stress cannot only cause mental illness but also physical symptoms as well. Talking about the issues can be a big relief although some individuals refrain in order to prevent weighing others down with their problems. Support groups and professional counseling services are available to emergency workers and assistance should be encouraged.
While some who have experienced distress will find it difficult to sleep or stay asleep, sleep is important for good health. Insomnia should be dealt with by a doctor to prevent additional problems resulting from sleeping pill dependency or alcohol abuse. Learning to cope without the aid of substances will be an important step in recovery and can prevent additional tragedies from taking place.