On Campus Crisis & Trauma

In a life-threatening situation on or near campus?

Call Wayne State Police at (313) 577-2222
 

CAPS Role

When tragic events occur on campus, members of the college community can experience stress, trauma, grief, or a combination of these reactions. CAPS has a role in creating a safe environment for university members to have an opportunity to express their thoughts, feelings, and reactions to a crisis or trauma, and can offer additional support and help to those individuals when reactions are extreme or persistent and are causing an individual ongoing trauma or difficulty.

Currently-Registered WSU Students must Schedule an Initial Consultation to see which of our services best meets your needs (link is only active Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm).

If urgent consultation is needed, you are encouraged to call CAPS at 313-577-3398 to speak with a CAPS counselor.

Surviving a Trauma

The Nature of Trauma
Reactions to Trauma
How We May Be Affected
What Helps Healing
How to Help a Friend
 

The Nature of Trauma

The severity of a person's reactions to trauma is often associated with the nature of the incident.  The following are examples of factors that strongly impact survivors:

• The unpredictable timing of the incident

• Experiencing physical injury, either through accident or violence

• Having one's physical health or life threatened

• Having a near death experience

• Having a loved one's physical health or life threatened

• Feeling loss of control

• Witnessing the injury or death of others

• Surviving an experience where others have been injured or died

• Loss of home and security due to disaster

• Seeing or having contact with blood

• Prolonged exposure to danger

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Reactions to Trauma

Persons react to trauma in ways that reflect their prior experiences with crisis, their distinctive personalities and problem-solving skills.  There are, however, some generally shared experiences that often accompany trauma.  Typical reactions may include some of the following:

• Confusion and a sense of detachment

• A numbness of "cloudy" perspective

• Heightened startle response

• Fear of situations that serve as a reminder of the event

• Physical and emotional reactions to sights, sounds, smell and feelings associated with the trauma

• Difficulties with getting to sleep, disturbing dreams or nightmares

• Intrusive and repetitive thoughts and images

• Difficulty with concentration and memory

• Intense emotional reactions, e.g., anger, crying, guilt, fear

• Loss of appetite

• Decreased emotional and physical energy

• Susceptibility to ailments (e.g., colds, joint soreness, sore muscles)

• Fear of trusting others

• Anxiousness about the future

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How We May Be Affected

Persons respond to tragedy in various ways. Normally we attempt to find ways to avoid the intrusion of painful memories or preoccupation with emotional and/or physical pain. Examples of how trauma may affect people include:

• Increased sense of vulnerability

• Avoidance of responsibility

• Withdrawal from the support of family, friends and community

• Altering one's lifestyle such as increased risk taking

• Increased use of substances/drugs to socialize or reduce pain

• Experiencing flashbacks or altered states associated with the trauma

• Avoidance of situations that serve as a reminder of any aspect of the trauma

• Lack of confidence in returning to daily life activities, particularly those that may have been related to the trauma

• Reactions associated with the guilt of surviving when others did not

• Assuming undue responsibility for the outcomes of the incident

• Changing expectations of one's self and others

• Altering commitments in work or study activities

• Heightened agitation towards perceived offenders and concern for victims

• Disruption in one's worldview about fairness and justice

• Uncertainty about how to relate to others

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What Helps Healing

There are ways to help the healing process. While there is not a cure for human suffering, over time healing can occur when attention is given to the needs of the whole person.

• Understand that trauma impacts a wide range human experience, our physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual well being. No part of the human experience is immune from the stress associated with trauma.

• Promote self-assurance by reminding yourself that you survived a painful experience and that it takes time to heal. Avoid comparing yourself to how others are handling their experience.

• Seek out persons who care for and support you. Share your reactions, thoughts and how the experience impacted you.

• Know that the reactions to trauma described are normal responses to a very abnormal experience. They occur in varying degrees of severity and type for each person.

• Consider writing a journal of your experience. Help those who care about you become aware of how you might react in certain situations.

• Seek to gain perspective on the experience. This is often helped by participation in counseling. Other aids may include meditation, reading, spiritual reflection or involvement in support groups.

• Trauma places stress on the human body and may result in illnesses that decrease energy and ability to concentrate. If needed, seek medical assistance.

• Promote your sense of hardiness through healthy nutrition and exercise.

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How to Help a Friend 

• Be patient and understand there is not a formula for healing from the wounds of trauma

• Respect the other person's perspective. Persons may have different understandings of what occurred and how harmful it was. Avoid assigning blame.

• Support the person's need for understanding. You do not have to possess the answers to the difficult questions the trauma raises.

• Provide support at the level the survivor desires. Inquire about how to be helpful while respecting the other person's limits.

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