Posttraumatic Stress Disorder as a Result of Genocide
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder as a Result of Genocide
Human beings are created by God to flourish in safety. Parents feed and protect children; teachers educate students; church leaders provide comfort; medical staff provides appropriate medicines and government looks out for the best interests of its people. When violence occurs, whether in families or in larger communities, it disrupts safety and causes human beings overwhelming fear. The genocide of 1994 and its aftermath have deeply traumatized Rwandans of all ages. Some reacted to the trauma immediately and others have had a delayed reaction.
Traumatic events are shocking and emotionally overwhelming. The genocide included many traumatic events such as death, serious injury and rape. It is natural and normal for people who experience, see or even hear about such things to have many reactions. Trauma is a wound to the heart and the mind. It is an invisible wound but its effects are very visible.
What does trauma look like? Trauma and violence affect people in different ways. It may show up in physical problems: headaches, vision problems, stomach problems, insomnia, seizures, an inability to move the body and pain that medicines do not help. Trauma also has mental symptoms: recurring painful memories, re-living the violence in the mind, crying, heavy sadness, overwhelming fear, desires to hurt or kill oneself, avoidance of certain people or places, or an inability to speak. Many people experience nightmares, anxiety, depression and anger. Trauma also affects faith and many people cannot pray or worship the way they used to.
Having symptoms of trauma does not mean you are a weak person. It means you are having a normal human reaction to something that was not normal and was not the way God meant people to live. Having symptoms of trauma is not a shameful thing. If someone hits you it will hurt. If a trauma hits your life, it will hurt a great deal. It is important to be able to say that you are hurt and find help for the pain.
What can be done for people who have experienced trauma? Taking care of basic needs is important after trauma. People need sleep, good food, enough water and to stay away from alcohol and drug abuse. Doing ordinary, daily things is helpful to many. When someone is having a trauma reaction they need compassion and patience. They are afraid and many think the trauma is happening again. Gentle talking can help people remember that the trauma is not happening again and that they are safe. Tell them who you are, tell them where they are and that they are in a safe place. Tell them to keep their eyes open and focused on you or something nearby. Things that bring peace may help them put the painful memories behind them – such as safe touch, good smells or tastes or sounds such as a song they like sung softly.
People also need to talk. That is how we work to get pain out of our hearts and minds. If they are allowed to talk about their bad experiences it helps the inside pain to get less. They need you to listen, to care about them, to not criticize them or give them a quick solution. They need to know that their feelings are normal and that it is right to grieve the losses they have experienced.
When people can give each other the gift of listening and of caring, then healing can begin. It may be slow and take a long time but showing respect for others’ memories and feelings will lessen the pain of today and give them hope for a better tomorrow.
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