Let's Talk ... Life: Acute stress

Acute stress

Dear Counselor:

My daughter saw pictures of the recent unrest in Jamaica and heard the news of the shootings and deaths. She is now having difficulty sleeping at night. She is now having difficulty falling asleep and she has nightmares and refuses to sleep alone. I am concerned.

- Murray

Dear Murray:

After the events of May in Jamaica, a certain response will be triggered in children, adolescents and adults. People will develop various symptoms as they come to terms with what has happened.

Difficulties with sleep, appetite and learning will emerge. In the immediate period, people will be easily startled, have painful flashbacks and nightmares when sleeping.

The images will be replayed in their minds, which children may resist by trying to forget what had happened. Older individuals will develop behavioural problems, become depressed and children may start to wet their beds at night.

All these reactions and behaviours are normal and, for the majority of people, will resolve after a month. However, some people will develop severe post-partum stress disorder and will need medication and therapy.

It will take a while for your daughter, like many other people have been traumatised by the events, to return to a normal pattern of sleep. It is ok for her to sleep in your bed and ask for more hugs and kisses. She will need plenty of reassurance and explanations about what had happened.

Be gentle and patient and give her lots of tender, loving care. If her symptoms persist, take her to a therapist who will work with her to overcome her anxieties. She may develop headaches and stomach pains and will need to be screened for physical problems as well.

As parent and victim of stress, you need to attend to self-care and get counselling if needed.

Adoption prospects amid schizophrenia

Dear Counselor:

My brother has severe schizophrenia and has to live in a nursing home. I would like to adopt his 10-year-old daughter but am unsure of how to proceed.

- Janet

Dear Janet:

Schizophrenia can be a severely debilitating disorder. Some individuals have lost touch with reality and live in a world of fantasy, delusion and make-believe.

Your brother seems to be unable to take care of himself. You will need to apply to the Adoption Board, which will give you the details of what is needed.

If your brother is severely ill, he will need to be assessed and his medication revised. There are a variety of newer antipsychotic medications which could be utilised in the treatment of your brother. These medications are good for severely disordered individuals.

If he is given trial medication over a reasonable period of time but doesn't improve, he will have to stay in the nursing home. Unfortunately, some individuals are unable to function independently because of their various illnesses.

Email comments and feedback to Dr Yvonnie Bailey-Davidson at yvonniebd@hotmail.com or phone 978-8602.