Coping Strategies

Talk about it!

Talking with others about your experience and about your feelings can keep them from having harmful long-term effects on you.  Sometimes a good listener is the best therapy a victim can have.  However, there are times when family and friend do not know what to say or how to help.  This is when you need to reach out and talk to someone who understands trauma.  It’s O.K. to need help!

 

Some Other Helpful Hints!  

Learn about trauma. Not everyone understands 
trauma or what it feels like.


Seek support from those who do understand and
can help you get connected with others who can help.

 Realize that your efforts to avoid the unwanted feelings and reactions will not make them go away!

 As painful as it is, it is better to work through the experience.

 

Remember to keep the blame where the blame belongs which is with the offender.

 

Here are some helpful coping strategies:

 

 

Positive Coping Strategies

Negative Coping Strategies

·         Information seeking

·         Social comparison

·         Activities to regain control

·         Activism

·         Time to heal

·         Emotion focused coping

·         Getting support

·         Avoiding reminders of the crime

·         Behavioural avoidance – use of drugs and alcohol

·         Denial and self-deception

·         Dissociation

·         Obsessing about the crime

·         Self-harm