Early interventions following trauma exposure

Offer adults and young people who have been exposed to trauma practical and emotional support, encourage them to use coping strategies and access social supports, and provide advice on good sleep practices. More detail can be found in the Mental Health First Aid Australia guidelines. Routine structured interventions (eg psychological debriefing) are no longer recommended following trauma exposure. Pharmacotherapy does not have any role in the prevention of acute or posttraumatic stress disorder.

Closely but unobtrusively monitor the patient’s recovery. Symptoms remit spontaneously in the vast majority of people and intervention is not necessary. However, consider psychosocial interventions if symptoms persist for 1 month or more, or earlier if the person is at risk of developing PTSD (eg past history of trauma, exposure to additional stressors after the traumatic event).

Early interventions in children are similar to those in adults and young people, but should be tailored to the child’s developmental stage.