MODULE I: VALIDATING FEELINGS AND
NORMALIZING REACTIONS
OBJECTIVE:
1. Identify feelings / reactions related to pandemic/
any form of disaster
2. Accept that all feelings and reactions are normal
and valid
DIFFERENT EMOTION:
ANO ANG NARAMDAMAN MO NG
MAGKAROON NG COVID SA ATING BANSA ?
ANO ANG NARAMDAMAN MO NOONG
NAKARAANG TATLONG BUWAN, ISANG
LINGGO O KAHAPON?
ANO ANG IYONG NARARAMDAMAN
NGAYON?
ANG NARARAMDAMAN MO BA NGAYON AY
KAPAREHAS NG PAKIRAMAM MO NOONG
MGA NAKARAANG BUWAN/ LINGGO O
ARAW?
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
worried scared angry numb frustrated
Series 2
The Adolescent Brain
Com
mon
of S Rea
t u c
den tions
Stre
ssfu ts to
l Eve
nts
1. Feel a strong responsibility to the family.
2. Feel anxious brought about by uncertainty of the future.
3. Feel intense or prolonged grief for not being able to
wake.
4. May become self- absorbed and feel self pity.
5. May experience changes in their relationships with other
people.
6. May also start taking risks, engage in self- destructive
behavior, and become aggressive.
7. May experience major shifts in their view of the world
accompanied by a sense of hopelessness about the present
and the future .
8. May become defiant of authorities and parents while they
start relying on peers for socializing through social media.
9. May feel guilty and anxious having separated from their
loved ones due to lockdown
When Terrible Things Happen
IMMEDIATE REACTIONS :
DOMAIN NEGATIVE RESPONSE POSITIVE RESPONSE
Cognitive Confusion, worry, self blame Determination, courage,
optimism, faith
Emotional Shock, sorry, grief, sadness, fear, Feeling invoved , challenged,
anger, numb, irritability, guilt, shame mobilized
Social Fights with others or does not speak Seeks out others who can help
with others them, help other in need
Physiological Tired, headache, muscle tension, Alertness, readiness to respond,
stomachache, difficulty sleeping , increase energy
fast heart beat
Common NEGATIVE Reactions that may
continue include:
●Intrusive Reactions●
• Distressing thoughts or images of the event while awake or dreaming
• Upsetting emotional or physical reactions to reminder of experience
• Feeling like the experience is happening all over again ( flashback )
• Restrictive emotions : feeling numb
• Feelings of detachment ( social withdrawal )
• Loss of interest in usually pleasured activities
● Physical Arousal Reactions ●
• Constantly being “on the lookout “ for danger, startling easily or being jumpy
• Irritability outbursts of anger, feeling “ on edge ”
• Difficulty falling or staying asleep, problems concentrating or paying attention
● Reactions to Trauma and loss Reminders ●
• Reactions to places, people, sights, sounds, smells and feelings that are
reminders of the disaster
• Reminders can bring on distressing mental images, thoughts and
emotional/physical reactions (example : sudden load noises, sirens, locations
where the disaster occurred, seeing people with disabilities, funerals etc.
Positive changes in priorities, worldview
and expectations
1. Meeting the challenge by addressing difficulties
2. Shifting expectation about what to expect from day to day ( “good
day )
3. Shifting priorities to focus more on quality time with family or
friends
4. Increased commitment to self, family , friends and spiritual
religious faith.
5. Enhance appreciation that family and friends are precious and
important
When a Loved One Dies, Common Reactions
Include :
• Feeling confused, numb, disbelief
• Feeling angry at the person who died or at the people considered responsible for the
death
• Strong physical reactions such as nausea, fatigue, shakiness and muscle weakness
• Intense emotions such as extreme sadness, anger or fear
• Increase risk for physical illness and injury
• Decreased productivity or difficulties making decision
• Longing, missing and wanting to search for the person who died
• Children and adolescents may become anxious when separated from caregivers or
other loved ones
• Feeling worry that a parent might die
What helps?
• Talking to another person for support or spending time with others
• Engaging in positive distracting activities (sports, hobbies, reading )
• Getting adequate rest and eating healthy meals
• Trying to maintain a normal schedule
• Taking breaks
• Reminiscing about a loved one who has died
• Focusing on something practical ( what you can do right now )
• Using relaxation method( breathing exercises, meditation, calming self talk,
music )
• Seeking counseling
What Doesn’t Help
• Using alcohol or drugs to cope
• Extreme withdrawal from family or friends
• Overeating or failing to eat
• Withdrawing from pleasant activities
• Working too much
• Violence or conflict
• Doing risky things (driving recklessly, substance abuse, not taking adequate precautions )
• Extreme avoidance of thinking or talking about the event or a death of a loved one
• Not taking care of yourself
• Excessive TV or computer games
• Blaming others
TAKE AWAY MESSAGE
“ MY FEELINSGS TOWARDS THIS DISASTER/ PANDEMIC ARE
NORMAL AND VALID. OTHERS MAY ALSO FEEL THE SAME
WAY”
IT IS OKEY NOT TO FEEL OKEY
