Online Therapy: How Blogging can be Beneficial

Yesterday afternoon, an incident occurred near my work desk that made me realize the importance of post-traumatic therapy.

While not excessively traumatic, it took me some time to grasp the impact of what I witnessed. I didn’t recognize the signs of someone about to have an epileptic fit.

I was both embarrassed and angry with myself. I readily admit to freezing and feeling all bound up with no idea what to do next.

Fortunately, a colleague with experience in handling epileptic seizures was there to help.

The whole situation seemed to unfold in slow motion.

The person mentioned that they didn’t feel well, and I unintentionally made a casual remark about none of us feeling well that afternoon.

Moments later, the young man turned around, placed a hand on his head, and leaned against a cupboard, a sign I should have recognized.

As the incident unfolded nearby, I sat at my desk and heard the unsettling sounds of the epileptic fit. I briefly peeked around the corner but quickly withdrew, realizing that privacy and dignity were crucial.

When asked for assistance, I did what I could, but there were some challenges. I will work on establishing clear procedures for such situations in the future, even if it’s just knowing what not to do.

I had been about to attend a meeting before this occurred. When I realized that another participant was involved in the situation, I rescheduled the meeting without hesitation, as I had arranged it in the first place.

I’m not blaming myself, just sharing my experience.

Post-traumatic therapy allows people to talk about what they’ve been through, which is precisely what I’m doing. Although this incident didn’t happen to me, it was a sobering experience, and I hadn’t dealt with anything like it in a long time.

The last time I assisted with a fit was about ten years ago when a young person with Down Syndrome had one on a bus. We had to sit on him to prevent injury, and it was challenging. However, we knew it was the right thing to do, as he could have hurt himself on the bus seats. I remember the bus driver taking us to his depot where an ambulance was waiting.

This incident left a deep impact on me, especially the sense of camaraderie and teamwork among the diverse group of staff, including management.

People of all ages, some who had experienced similar situations with the same individual in the past, and others with no prior experience, came together seamlessly. We supported the paramedics, offered pillows and chairs, and ensured doors and elevators were available.

I have immense respect for anyone who can handle these situations. I shook the hand of the young man who played a crucial role in ensuring everything went smoothly, and he quietly continued with his work.