Trauma in the wake of the Surfside Towers tragedy
It has been two years since the close-knit South Florida community of Surfside suffered an insurmountable loss as a result of the Chaplain Tower Collapse. Two years since the horrifying event that took place on the summer night of June 24, 2021.
Many people in the South Florida community were faced with the direct loss of a family member, friend, or acquaintance in the collapse and were left with unscalable anguish and grief.
In the days and weeks of the search & rescues, survivors and family members of victims were met with support from crisis counselors and chaplains. There was a lot of support in the weeks following the loss, as people were in a state of shock. The national & international media was on the ground and the world watched as the remains of the victims were recovered. As the months and now years go by, much of the support has dwindled. However, survivors and the families of the victims continue to grieve.
As we inch closer to the two-year anniversary, it is important to acknowledge how vulnerable this time it is for those survivors and the families of the victims. While some people felt the extreme anguish and stress responses right away, for others, the somatic reactions, emotions & thought patterns associated with trauma only surfaced months later. And when it comes to anniversaries of tragic events, the difficult memories, flashbacks and feelings can come flooding back and transport a person back to the past.
What Are the Common Symptoms of Trauma?
After a traumatic event, people often feel stress, fear and anger. Trauma may lead someone’s nervous system to a state of hyperarousal - or feeling constantly alert or ‘on edge’, unable to relax. For others, it may lead to emotional numbing - unable to feel much at all, even in the presence of something or someone that used to bring joy. People may find it difficult to control thoughts and are unable to stop thinking about what happened. Reactions are common for everyone, and by recognizing some common presentations, you may be less fearful and better able to cope.
Here are some common reactions to trauma:
Hopelessness about the future, sadness
Feeling distant from others, not wanting intimacy, feeling shocked, numb or unable to feel love or joy
Being withdrawn, feeling rejected, or abandoned
Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
Easily startled with sudden noises or things going on around you
Feeling ‘on edge’ all the time; feeling nervous, fearful, easily upset or agitated, irritable, or having angry outbursts
Nightmares and upsetting memories about the event
Blaming yourself or having negative views of oneself or the world
Being unable to trust others
Issues at work or school as a result of these reactions
Avoidance of anything that reminds you of the event (people, places and things)
Common physical reactions:
Upset stomach & issues with appetite
Difficulty sleeping and feeling fatigue
Racing heart, rapid breathing
Sweating & feeling shaky
Headache triggered by thoughts related to the event
Neglecting personal well-being (lack of exercise, healthy diet, safe sex)
Increase use of substances - smoking, alcohol, drugs
Not attending to medical problems/concerns and letting these get worse
Common problems that can occur after trauma:
Common problems that can occur after a trauma are:
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This is a condition that can arise after you experience a life-threatening event, witness or learn about a life-threatening event happening to a loved one. Common symptoms include thinking over and over about what happened. You may try to avoid people, places or things that remind you of the event. You may feel numb or you might find that you have trouble relaxing and are ‘on-edge’ all of the time.
Anxiety. Anxiety is a feeling of fear, dread, and uneasiness and often involves excessive worry about the past and future. It might cause physical symptoms like sweating, feeling restless and tense, fatigue and having a rapid heartbeat. It can be a common reaction to stress and it can develop after experiencing a traumatic event. While experiencing some level of anxiety is adaptive & helps us cope, for people with anxiety disorders, the fear is long-lasting and can be overwhelming. The symptoms often impact one’s ability to engage in daily activities properly such as one’s job, schoolwork, and relationships.
Depression. Depression involves feeling sad or down more days than not. If depressed, you may lose interest in things that used to bring you joy. You may feel tired and have little energy. Depression may involve feeling hopeless and it's hard to imagine that things will get better. Depression can occur after experiencing a loss, such a death of a loved one or friend. If you are depressed, you may also experience thoughts about hurting yourself.
Alcohol or drug abuse. Drinking or using drugs as a way to ‘self-medicate’ or cope with a trauma or stressor is a common, often misunderstood way of coping with upsetting events. After a trauma, people may drink more and use drugs to numb out and get rid of the difficult thoughts, feelings and memories related to the trauma. Yet, it can lead to elevated risk to your safety, negative health outcomes and social consequences. If you begin to lose control or drinking or drug use, it is important to see a health care provider to manage these behaviors.
Treatment
If you or someone you love are recognizing some of the symptoms above and have not received support, consider reaching out for help from a trained mental health therapist in order to address the long-term emotional toll of this tragedy. There are options for different evidence-based treatments like Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Trauma & PTSD, CBT for Anxiety, CBT for Depression & Mood disorders, and CBT for Substance Use Disorders & Addictions.
The clinical team at CBT of Central & South Florida is offering a complimentary 15-minute consultation to those considering treatment to discuss CBT or alternate therapies, as well as available resources in the community. Virtual and in-person sessions are available in Florida and New York.