Managing Emotions After a Crisis
Sadly, gun violence has continued to increase in the USA, and in 2023 deaths from guns hit an all time high. With these statistics it is a very real possibility it will impact you or a loved one at some point in your life, if it hasn’t already. After the shooting death of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025, a campus 15 minutes away from our clinic in Lehi, we all are experiencing the ripple effect of the trauma. It has struck fear in those present, those on campus, and the general fear of unsafety in public settings. It is a stark reminder that uncertainty exists in life, and we are unable to control all the variables that keep us safe.
After a crisis, it is common to experience feelings of sadness, anger, fear, shock, numbness, grief, irritability and disillusionment. You may find that it is hard to leave your home, get out of bed, have a lack of appetite, poor sleep or nightmares, or find it difficult to concentrate or complete daily tasks. These symptoms may naturally fade over time, and if not, you may be experiencing symptoms of PTSD and would benefit from more professional support.
Tips to Help In the Immediate Aftermath
If you are currently struggling, there are some things to do in the immediate aftermath that can help ease these symptoms:
Reach out to family and friends for immediate support. Talking about your feelings and experiences can help. You may also find solace in talking with others that experienced the same situation as you, or attend local groups to process it.
Validate your feelings as a normal response to a traumatic event. Your feelings may look different than someone you know that was also witness to the trauma. That is okay! Our brains all process things differently.
Give yourself permission to take a break from the news or social media. Although you may want to be informed, repeated exposure to the traumatic event may not help your current symptoms.
Seek professional help to have a safe place to talk it through.
Try to continue in some structure or routine that helps you. Take showers, brush your teeth, set a small goal for yourself each day.
Engage in some coping skills to help with immediate anxiety symptoms like deep breathing, meditation, movement, holding ice or a cold cloth to your face.
Tips to Support a Loved One
If you are a loved one or friend of someone that experienced the trauma, here are some ways to help:
Listen to their emotions, story or whatever they need to talk about. Do not rush them to engage back in their daily life or push them to manage their emotions in the way you might. If they are not talking about it, do not try to push them to talk but offer your presence to be by their side.
If possible, help reduce some of their daily tasks by taking over chores or running errands for them.
If needed, help them in finding professional support and offer to call a therapist or go with them to a support group.
Be available to go places with them to help increase their sense of safety.
It’s Okay to Seek Professional Help
It is also okay to seek professional help when dealing with such an intense traumatic experience. Therapy can be a place to process all of the feelings and symptoms that you may be currently experiencing. Our clinic is happy to help, or provide resources in the community to you. Contact us today if you or a loved one needs immediate assistance in managing this trauma.