Anonymous wrote:Thank you for the responses. We don't have a therapist but I may encourage my kids to see their school counselors on Monday (doubt they'll go...).

Also the breathing techniques are pretty amazing. I had no faith at all that breathing exercises would help but they really did. I'm going to keep this in my back pocket.

I'm so glad to hear that. The 4 in, 4 hold and 4 out which I suggested is used by the Marines. If they use it you know its going to work.

This is OP again. I wonder if there is just no way around feeling bad. My MO is to power through things but I keep feeling like I'm about to cry. Which I guess isn't the end of the world. I'm going to try the aspirin and the bananas. Thanks.

Eat several bananas. Take 2 regular strength aspirin. Drink lots of water (this is all going to lower your blood pressure) Try to nap

Thank you for the responses. We don't have a therapist but I may encourage my kids to see their school counselors on Monday (doubt they'll go...).

Also the breathing techniques are pretty amazing. I had no faith at all that breathing exercises would help but they really did. I'm going to keep this in my back pocket.

Can you leave the house for a few hours - maybe go to an uplifting movie.

It's mild ptsd-- I witnessed a violent event many years ago, and had a similar reaction, but because I saw it first hand, I felt on edge for several weeks.
I agree that if you have a therapist, it's worth discussing just to work out the feelings--in the meantime, here a website describing specific deep breathing exercises that helps alleviate anxiety. I've used it- it will help:

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/proper-breathing-brings-better-health/

Talk to the kids about it.

Do you have access to a therapist? If yes, make an appt.

Write about what happened and how you felt and feel in a journal.

Try using a guided meditation or other way to focus and calm your mind.

Slow breathing - count four to breath in, hold for 4 and let out for 4

that or jumping jacks to work off the adrenaline

both work for me in different circs.

I'm posting this here because there's no mental health forum, so here goes. We had a crazy event this morning with one of our neighbors that only involved us indirectly but was nonetheless really disturbing. A lot of screaming that went on forever, the police came, someone was arrested and someone else was taken away in an ambulance. This was a couple of hours ago and I can't stop thinking about it, and feel really jangled up inside, nervous, on the verge of tears and unable to stay focused. I know all that's normal, but what can I do to calm down? I would have a beer but I have to work today, so I can't.

Any tips or techniques? Also, my kids seem unphased but I'm sure they're not. Should I talk to them about it or just leave it alone?