After a loss or crisis, it is typical, that some adapt constructively and emerge mentally healthy and maintain the ability to carry on with their lives. Whilst others will portray a maladaptive reaction and experience distress leading to a lasting negative impact on their lives. These averse consequences result from an individual’s homeostasis being interrupted because of a disruption between the individual and their environment.
In an attempt to keep us safe from any potential physical threat, the body experiences a surge of hormones that prompt it to act for its survival. At the time, the sympathetic response of the body (flight, fright or freeze), coupled with a feeling of loss, grief or distress are adaptive and healthy. However, prolonged, the response can be taxing on our coping resources leading to physical and mental ills.
It is important to understand the mental challenges posed by a crisis so that one may be equipped and know how to handle the challenges.
These include loss, grief or distress and all of these require a cautious response. The ideal response is possible if we could preempt the the crisis and use anticipatory guidance to manage an expected crisis effectively ahead of time. However, as with most crises, it may not be possible to prepare. This leaves us with the methods of preventative intervention, after a person experiences psychological disequilibrium. Let’s assume an individual is dealing with a sudden change in the physical world that is of direct significance to them such as; loss of a loved one, a home, a job, status, money or bodily integrity. One study investigating psychological distress found that psychosocial support plays a pivotal role in determining the extent of harm that individuals confronted with stressors will be exposed to.
This psychosocial support emanates from the interpersonal support found in
communities and people that are close to the individual and intrapersonal support, which is internally sourced.
Interpersonal support can be found in communal settings such as religion, social or political affiliations. Such organizations enable the individual to reinvest meaning in routine activities that may remind the individual of their values and goals or establish new values and goals. Intrapersonal support can be accessed through establishing rituals that give meaning to an individual, such as exercise, prayer, meditation or participating in their traditional practices.
The study further found that central to psychological support, is a feeling of hope that after coming to terms with what is, there is a possibility of beginning a new life.
Hope will be helpful in facilitating the required resiliency to bounce back and help people rebuild their lives. Others will experience distress, whilst some will fall into dysfunction. The dysfunction is an indication of the severity of harm that the individual was exposed to, at times the extent of harm renders it tough for the concerned individuals to complete mundane daily tasks (taking a shower, eating, rebuilding). Those in dysfunction will need medical or psychological care.
Any type of distress should be observed and supported, because, although it is expected to resolve, if unattended or repressed, it can lead to dysfunction. The individuals most at risk are those who were previously struggling with a mental health condition or taking medication for a chronic condition. This makes it our responsibility (as members of a community) to be of support to those prone to a lasting distress. The health and resiliency of our community is our collective responsibility.
If you suspect that you or someone you care about may be distressed, feel free to reach out to Maropeng counselling.
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