Other Types of Support

Is talking to a counselor right for me?

People who have gone through traumatic experiences often benefit from talking to a trustworthy, more experienced helper, such as a school counselor, doctor or nurse, religious leader (such as a pastor, priest, or Rabi), or a community counselor (such as a psychologist, psychiatrist, or social worker).

Are my symptoms normal?

Some reactions are very common in the first week or two following a traumatic event and might not necessarily require a visit to a counselor.

However, if these symptoms do not improve in the first days and weeks following trauma, or they are causing you extreme distress, then it may be important to think about face-to-face counseling because professional helpers are trained to help people with these things.

 Click on the options below to see which symptoms are common, and which ones you should seek help for...

Common Reactions:

• More difficulty getting through normal activities and responsibilities than usual
• Avoidance of certain situations
• Nervousness
• Having a lot of troubling thoughts about the event
• Flashing back on the event as if it were happening again
• Sleeping problems or nightmares
• Extreme emotions

Seek Professional Support Right Away if You're Having any of the These Reactions:

• Having a lot of trouble in school, work, or meeting daily responsibilities
• You have been struggling with recovery for more than a month and things are getting worse instead of better
• Feeling sad or depressed most or all the time
• Feeling anxious or having troubling thoughts most or all the time
• Use of alcohol or street drugs
• Overusing prescription medications
• Thinking about hurting or killing yourself or someone else