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ONLINE
17-MAR-00
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Other students recovering from accident injuries
by EMILY MEYER
THRESHER EDITORIAL STAFF
Taking care of yourself after a traumatic event
The following is information provided by the Rice Counseling Center.
Everyone who is in any way involved with a disaster or traumatic event may experience trauma reactions. It is important to remember that these are normal reactions to extremely abnormal circumstances, especially if you:
- Were a witness or were involved in the event;
- Had a "near miss" or were almost involved in the event;
- Knew or know others who were killed, harmed or involved in some way;
- Have a relationship with family or friends of victims;
- Have heard a lot about the event through media or friends; or
- Are reminded of other traumatic incidents in your life by this event.
Typical reaction to trauma
Not everyone responds the same way to trauma. Some people experience emotional reactions such as anxiety, fear, irritability, hopelessness, feelings of numbness, detachment from others, feelings of "survivor guilt," flashbacks or nightmares about the event.
It is also normal to have difficulty concentrating or to have brief periods of confusion. Physical reactions are both possible and normal - they can include headaches, nausea and insomnia. One might experience the desire to withdraw from people or want to talk about it and read accounts about the traumatic event.
Taking care of yourself
Remind yourself that your responses are normal responses to a stressful situation. Your body and mind will tell you what you need to do - your job is to listen to them and take care of yourself.
Get plenty of rest when you're tired. Use your energy if you feel hyperactive, but don't force yourself to be active if you don't have the energy. Your energy levels and moods will vary.
Ask your faculty members and others to cut you some slack right now. Even if you feel you can work just fine, you may need their support later if you experience a delayed impact of the event.
Talk to supportive people as much as you need to. You may experience a need to talk repetitively about the trauma. Use people outside your family and social support network, like masters, CAPP, campus ministers or Rice Counseling Center staff.
Spend time with others, even if you don't feel like talking. It can be very comforting to know you're not alone.
Don't make any major life decisions or big life changes if at all possible. This is not a time to put pressure on yourself to do anything out of the ordinary. Concentrate on taking care of yourself.
Allow yourself to cry, rage and express your feelings when you need to. Avoid numbing your feelings with alcohol or drugs. This will only complicate your situation.
Recovering from a traumatic event
Recovering from a traumatic event will take time. If you experience another stressful event while recovering from trauma, you may find that your reactions reappear for a while. This re-activation, or delayed trauma response, is perfectly normal.
At any time during this process, you may find it useful to ask for professional help from a counselor or mental health professional. There are some circumstances under which you should definitely get professional help:
- If you find yourself feeling suicidal or contemplating suicide,
- If you find that your daily function continues to be impaired so that you cannot carry out your life tasks, or
- If post-trauma fears interfere with your ability to return to certain places or situations that remind you of the trauma.
Contacting the Rice Counseling Center
The counseling center offers free, professional, confidential assistance to Rice students.
301 Lovett Hall, Entrance A
8:30 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m.
(713) 348-4867 (24-hour emergency service)
http://www.ruf.rice.edu/~rucc
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Hanszen College sophomore Brook Ames remained at Hermann Memorial Hospital in fair condition at press time. Lovett College senior Michael Erfe was upgraded from fair to good condition Wednesday and was released from Hermann Hospital yesterday afternoon.
Both were taken by helicopter to Hermann Hospital on Monday night after suffering serious injuries in Monday night's crash on Interstate 45 north of Houston.
Ames is recovering from Tuesday's surgery on his broken leg. His father David Ames said doctors placed a titanium rod inside his son's femur which was broken in four places. "It'll be about three months for the leg to heal, and then three months of therapy," he said.
David Ames said that although his son feels some general discomfort, his pain is primarily in his leg.
Erfe said his doctors decided Wednesday morning that his spleen, which had been bleeding, had "maintained itself" and that surgery was therefore unnecessary. "[I have] a couple of broken ribs, and aside from the spleen, that's it. I'm pretty lucky," he said.
Erfe said he has to wait six weeks before engaging in physical activity.
He also said that his back hurts. "I think it's probably from the impact. Luckily I didn't have anything wrong with my spine," he said.
"I'm feeling a lot better than yesterday," Erfe said Wednesday. He said that after discharge he will go home to Desoto before returning to Houston for a follow-up appointment on March 27. "Hopefully on the 27th they'll say I'm OK," he said. If his doctors approve, Erfe said he would probably come back to Rice. "I have a lot of work to do, and I need to graduate," he said.
Assistant debate coach Chris Aspdal, who hit his head during the crash, lost his short-term memory as a result, debate coach Dan West said. West said Aspdal's memory is starting to come back. Aspdal was the driver of the minivan hit by the pickup truck.
Other than Ames, Erfe and Aspdal, West said, "everyone else seems to be OK, but emotionally it's going to be a while." He said that many of the people involved have seat-belt-related injuries, and that everyone has to be examined by a doctor.
Wiess College freshman Andrew Courtwright was released Tuesday morning with Aspdal, West and two other students from treatment at Houston Northwest Memorial Center, where they were taken after the accident. Courtwright said doctors won't know exactly what's wrong with him for a couple of weeks because of swelling, but that he has pain in his back and his knee. "I may have a fracture in my back. ... If it keeps hurting they'll do an MRI," he said. He said he may also have a torn knee ligament. Courtwright was a passenger in the minivan, the vehicle most damaged in the accident.
Brown College junior Rifi Newaz was a passenger in the other, larger van. "I still have a little neck pain and a little back pain," he said. "Other than that I'm doing all right."
Brown senior Scott Nilsen drove the larger van. "I'm physically fine," Nilsen said. "I was fortunate enough not to be hurt at all."
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