ICMC =<\/p>\n
Advertorial<\/p>\n
Overcoming Past Traumas<\/p>\n
The horrifying images on television depicting bombing victims
\nin Poso, Sulawesi, made Larasati's heart beat faster. Perspiring
\nprofusely, the 30-year-old woman felt weak.<\/p>\n
Pictures of her own agony flashed painfully in her mind. They
\nwere of days when she was treated in hospital few years ago for
\nwounds suffered in a bomb explosion in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
She was leaving her office when the bomb exploded. She saw a
\nhuge ball of fire and felt an intense heat before everything went
\nblack.<\/p>\n
\"When I regained consciousness, I realized I was in a hospital
\nwhere I was being treated for severe burns. About the stitches on
\nmy head, I was told that I had a concussion. Well, six months
\nlater I recovered almost completely, at least physically,\"
\nLarasati said.<\/p>\n
But not psychologically. For a long time, she was traumatized
\nby the tragedy. Fear seemed to be firmly entrenched in Larasati's
\nmind. Every place she went posed a fatal threat. Visuals of
\nshopping malls, office buildings and basement parking lots
\ncrumbling and devoured by giant fireballs often haunted her.<\/p>\n
Frequent nightmares made her an extremely nervous person.
\nWithout apparent reason she often snapped at people. Naturally,
\nconcentrating on her work or anything else became increasingly
\ndifficult.<\/p>\n
Fortunately, her condition improved significantly after
\nseveral sessions of counseling with a psychiatrist.<\/p>\n
Still, once in a while, the terrifying images return with a
\nvengeance. Like the time she saw a car with its passengers ablaze
\nin a traffic accident or whenever she reads or hears about
\nbombings. The trauma, with all its agonizing mental and physical
\nrepercussions, has not entirely left her in peace.<\/p>\n
Even family members and close friends find it difficult to
\nunderstand her plight, as physically, Larasati appears to be
\nnormal.<\/p>\n
What most people do not realize is that all sorts of memories,
\nhappy or sad, are stored in our minds. Some are traumatic
\nexperiences which can create a stronger impact and therefore
\noften float to the surface, causing emotional and physical
\nsuffering.<\/p>\n
The recurrence of past painful memories that trigger mental,
\nemotional and physical disorders or illness, including behavioral
\nchanges, are often due to, among other things;<\/p>\n
* Seeing or hearing similar events
\n* Time-related recurrences, such as the same date of the tragedy
\n(anniversary reaction, in psychiatric lingo)
\n* Difficult or stressful circumstances during recovery period<\/p>\n
Kristi Poerwandari, a psychologist at PULIH Foundation, said:
\n\"Talking with those close to you, like family and friends, is
\nhelpful. By sharing your problems with them, the burden can
\nbecome lighter. Their empathy and moral support help the healing
\nprocess.\"<\/p>\n
Similarly, taking time to relax, simply doing things one
\nenjoys and, most importantly, developing a positive attitude,
\ncontributes significantly to recovery process.<\/p>\n
The victim needs to understand that past experiences are
\nstored in the brain's memory bank, and it is only natural that
\nthe harrowing images resurface and are replayed from time to
\ntime. Dealing with them becomes easier by accepting them as
\nmerely a part of one's past or something that is over and done
\nwith.<\/p>\n
However, for those that find it hard to cope by themselves,
\ncounseling sessions with psychiatrists as well as psychologists
\nis recommended.<\/p>\n
For further information, please do not hesitate to contact the
\n24-hour Pulih Foundation hot line at (021) 719 6426, 719 7476,
\n707 91304 or 0888 1816 860, or send an e-mail to
\nyayasan_pulih@yahoo.com for e-counseling.<\/p>\n
The Pulih Foundation, in cooperation with the Center for
\nStudies of Disasters and Victims of Violence at the University of
\nIndonesia's Department of Psychiatry and Cipto Mangunkusumo
\nHospital, Jakarta, also provide psychiatric counseling services
\n(telephone number (021) 310 7741 and (021) 319 37559).<\/p>\n
Disclaimer:
\nThis article was made possible through support provided by The
\nUnited States Agency for International Development. The opinions
\nexpressed herein are those of PULIH and International Catholic
\nMigration Commission (ICMC) and not necessarily reflect the views
\nof the United States Agency for International Development.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/icmc-1447899208",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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