Following the bomb threat and hours-long standoff at a downtown Bakersfield Chase Bank, many are focused on the investigation. But for those who experienced the event firsthand, the emotional effects can last long after the incident ends.
For many people, the effects of a traumatic event don’t end when the immediate danger is over. Trauma counselors say people who experience or witness a crisis may continue to feel the emotional impact for days, weeks, or even longer after the event.
Artisamae Moten is the Clinical Director at Awakened Consulting, and she says, “It’s not a question of if they will experience PTSD symptoms. It may not show up fully right now because the shock is still there. As that wears off, they may begin noticing symptoms that seem off but aren’t necessarily connected back to the event. There’s also secondary trauma that can affect friends and family members.”…