The First 48 Hours: What Actually Helps After Trauma

In the immediate aftermath of a traumatic event, especially during the first 48 hours, people may experience intense anxiety, restlessness, irritability, or a sense of being overwhelmed. These reactions are not unusual. They are part of the body’s natural response to danger and uncertainty.

During this early phase, the goal is not to analyze emotions deeply or to try to solve everything at once. The focus should be on stabilization, safety, and connection.

The Importance of Connection

One of the most important things we can do during this time is ensure that people are not alone. Whenever possible, those experiencing anxiety related to trauma or ongoing war should remain surrounded by friends, family members, or their social support network. Being physically and emotionally close to others helps the nervous system begin to calm and reduces feelings of isolation.

Simple Grounding Actions

At the same time, it is helpful to encourage simple, grounding actions. Basic care matters. Make sure people drink water, eat something light if they can, and sit in a calm environment. These small physical actions help the body regulate itself after a stressful event.

Restoring a Sense of Choice

Another key principle is restoring a sense of agency. Trauma can leave people feeling powerless, so it is important to help them regain a sense of choice, even in small ways. Asking simple questions such as whether they prefer tea or water, or where they would like to sit, allows them to make decisions and gradually rebuild their sense of control.

Supporting Basic Functioning

Encouraging basic functioning can also help. Invite people to engage in simple tasks such as preparing a drink, sending a message to a loved one, or doing something small and manageable. These actions help release the survival energy that the body generates during a stressful event and allow people to reconnect with everyday functioning.

Focusing on Facts - Not Emotional Analysis

If someone wants to talk about what happened, it is often best to keep the conversation structured and factual. Encourage them to describe the event step by step, focusing on what happened rather than immediately interpreting or analyzing their emotions. In the early phase after trauma, this kind of clear recounting can help organize the experience and reduce confusion without overwhelming the person emotionally.

Supporting people in functioning, choosing, and gradually reclaiming their sense of position and control are the core guiding principles during this period.

What to Avoid in the First 48 Hours

It is also important to understand what not to do in the first 48 hours. In most situations, this is not the time to:

• Begin anti-anxiety medications.

• Self-medicate with alcohol or cannabis.

• Hospitalize individuals experiencing acute anxiety.

These early reactions are often part of the body’s natural stress response and can settle with supportive care and stabilization.

Conclusion: Moving Toward Safety

The first two days after trauma are about helping the body and mind regain balance. Simple acts of presence, practical care, and supportive structure can make a significant difference. By focusing on connection, small choices, and basic functioning, we help people begin to move from a state of threat toward a sense of safety again.

No one needs to navigate these experiences alone.

Toolkit: Supporting Someone in the First 48 Hours

Prof. Eyal Fruchter shares practical guidance for supporting someone experiencing anxiety in the immediate aftermath of war or trauma. In the first 48 hours, focus on stabilization, not deep processing.

1. Stay Connected

• Make sure the person is not alone whenever possible.

• Surround them with trusted friends, family, or supportive community members.
  

2. Encourage Simple Grounding Actions Help with basic needs:

• Drinking water

• Eating something light

• Sitting in a calm, familiar space

• Taking slow breaths (Small physical actions help regulate the nervous system).
  

3. Restore a Sense of Choice Ask simple questions that allow them to make decisions:

• "Would you like to sit here or outside?"

• "Do you want tea or water?" (Even small choices help rebuild agency and control).
  

4. Support Basic Functioning Invite them to engage in simple tasks:

• Making tea

• Tidying a space

• Sending a message to a loved one (Action helps release survival energy).
  

5. Focus on Facts - Not Emotional Analysis If they want to talk about what happened:

• Encourage a clear and structured recounting of events.

• Focus on what happened step by step.

• Minimize emotional interpretation in the early phase.
  

6. Avoid Quick Fixes In the first 48 hours, it is generally not the time to:

• Start anti-anxiety medication.

• Self-medicate with alcohol or cannabis.

• Hospitalize someone for acute anxiety unless there is immediate danger.