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What to do if you come across a disoriented person

09.03.2022

Disorientation is an abnormal psychoneurological state, and only psychiatrists or psychologists can provide qualified care to a person in this condition. However, you can provide primary psychological support and help the person find their loved ones.

Symptoms of disorientation: the person/child is wandering down a street or a large public space (such a train station, market, hospital), looks confused. They may ask for help or look helpless, act confused or as if in a stupor or have trouble talking.

Disorientation may be caused by being present in an active war zone, witnessing explosions, missile strikes or death and destruction. It may also be caused by the person receiving news about the death of their loved ones. What can you do to help?

  1. Attempt contact. Make sure the person can hear and see you, and that they are reacting to your presence. Gently try to interact with them. You can say something along the lines of: “Please nod if you can hear me”, “My name is…”, and “What is your name?”. If you’re talking to a disoriented child, you can ask them to tell you the name of their parents or siblings. Squeeze their hand and ask them to squeeze yours.
  2. Comfort the person or child. Let them know that they are not alone, that they will get through this and that you are willing to help them. Use phrases such as “I’m here”, “I’m with you”, “We’re going to deal with this together”.
  3. Try to get them to focus on something rational. Address them by their name, ask them if they know what day of the week it is, what the date is, what happened. Inquire if they have family or friends nearby, where they live, and if they have their cell phone with them.
  4. Help them focus on reality. To reduce disorientation and confusion, it is necessary to describe the real state of affairs and talk through your further actions. For example, say something like “We need to finish doing… (specify what exactly).” If there is an explosion nearby, calmly say, “A shell exploded nearby,” “Now we need to get up and go to the bomb shelter.”
  5. (If dealing with adults) Help them take care of themselves. It is important not to do what a person can do by themselves. Use the imperative instead of requests. That is, do not ask, but calmly order them to do something. For example, “Pour yourself water and drink it”, “Take the child by the hand”, “Fasten your jacket”.
  6. If you can’t find the person’s relatives or if they need urgent medical care, you should inform the police by calling 102 (the person or child may already be wanted) or call an ambulance (dial 103). Assistance from volunteers, station administration, or workers at the hospital or market may be appropriate.
  7. Use social media to share information about the disoriented person such as their photo.

Qualified assistance will also be provided to you at 0-800-50-02-02 (hotline of the Ministry of Internal Affairs), 044-254-91-02 (call center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs) and will indicate further actions in a given situation.

* Based on the recommendations of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine

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