MindSet 2022: Survivor's Guilt-Very Real & Too Often Tragic

MindSet with Tom McNulty, M.S. - Behavioral Health, Neurology & Medical Integration

The violent and deadly world we live in stirs up emotions we may not always recognize. We see death on television news from war, automobile crashes, plane accidents, mass shootings, terrorism, insurrection, random street shootings, and workplace tragedies involving accidents and shootings. The closer you are to a violent event or how we put ourselves in events, such as the war in Ukraine, Buffalo's mass shooting by a racist white supremacist, or 10-year-old children being slaughtered in their classroom we can find ourselves asking, "why them and not me?"
Survivor guilt is a form of post-traumatic stress. Left unaddressed, it can haunt an individual's sense of self, and ability to cope, create daily dysfunction, and, sometimes, lead to attempted suicide or completed suicide. The "guilt" comes from the perpetual questioning of oneself about what I could have done to prevent this or save my friend. When you notice a loved one or friend perseverating over a tragic event involving loss of life and/or severe injuries, be alert and be very serious about listening to that person and knowing your own limitations, and when to seek professional help. People struggling with survivor's guilt are at increased risk when something triggers a reminder of what they feel or experience, including event anniversaries. First responders might feel they could have done better and therefore their guilt lingers. Seeking professional help from a survivor's guilt expert is the best plan of action. Learn more from this MindSet 2022 podcast. Thank you very much!
Tom McNulty, M.S.