EPIC

LOYALIST EX-PRISONERS

N. IRELAND CONFLICT

HOMEPAGE

SERVICES

RESEARCH

NEWS

OBJECTIVES

ADVOCACY

EPIC staff have identified traumatic symptoms within some loyalist political ex-prisoners and ex-combatants.

Traumatic Symptoms include:

Flashbacks - to imprisonment and combat;

Eating disorders;

Sleeping disorders;

Barriers to expressing emotion;

Hyper vigilance;

Relationship difficulties - absence of social skills, etc;

Periods of depression and loneliness;

Guilt for impact on ones family;

Isolation, finding ones niche/place;

Focus on making up for absent years - emotional and physical catch-up;

Sense of being a stranger in own home;

Lack of understanding of what is happening during these experiences.

Research has concluded that these symptoms are 'normal' for people who have experienced combat and  imprisonment.

These symptoms fall into the concept of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and can thus be alleviated using techniques within this field.

EPIC staff are developing skills to address PTSD up to a point of referral to acceptable personnel.  The South African Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation have facilitated training for EPIC staff.

It is an additional responsibility for staff to screen providers of counselling services to satisfy our organisation the people referred will be in safe hands - such is the nature of our society.

Any information on this area will be greatly appreciated....

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Send mail to martin@epic.dnet.co.uk with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: June 10, 1999