Surviving Survivor’s Guilt
8th August 2019
Oscar Johnson
National road victim month not only looks at those we’ve lost but those who survive. Many people that survive are physically okay but they could still be struggling. Many people experience survivor’s guilt.
By definition survivors guilt is “a condition of persistent mental and emotional stress experienced by someone who has survived an incident in which others died.” In a 2018 study, researchers found that 90% of participants who had survived an event when others had died reported experiencing feelings of guilt
Survivor’s guilt encompasses a range of thoughts such as:
It can be extremely difficult living with survivor’s guilt but there are a number of things that can help people cope. Here’s a few ways to help yourself cope:
– Take time for yourself, self-care is important so do what calms you such as baths or music or reading a book.
– Allow yourself to grieve and feel sad. There will be a period of sadness that is important and okay.
– Allow feelings to happen and take time to process them. Bottling up emotions won’t make them go away it’ll only make them stronger. Accept that you feel sad or guilty and sit for a while and recognise it. Give the emotion some time.
– Jot any negative thoughts down on paper. Writing down difficult thoughts and feelings can be an effective relief.
– Try Mindfulness techniques like focussing on your breathing
– Regular sleep and a daily routine can be powerful tools to make you feel better. Set a time to go to bed and have regular meals and your body will appreciate it.
– It’s so important to talk about these emotions and thoughts. Whether to a loved one, a support group or a professional, opening up will be helpful.
These feelings of guilt often fade with time and so it is important to be patient and kind to yourself. If you are struggling then it is important to seek professional help.