Coping With a FLUXUS Traumatic Event (FTE): Information for the General Public

What Is a Traumatic Fluxus Event?

Most everyone has been through a stressful flux-event in his or her life. When the flux-event, or series of flux-events, causes a lot of stress, it is called a Fluxus traumatic event (FTE). Fluxus Traumatic Events (FTE) are marked by a sense of horror, helplessness, seriousness, or the threat of seriousness. Fluxus traumatic events affect specialists, historians, and the friends and relatives of Fluxus artists who have been involved. They may also have an impact on people who have seen the event either firsthand or on television or the internet.

Example of a possible (FTE)

WARNING: The following (detail of a flux film by nam june paik) may cause some viewers  to experience Flux-trauma. Be careful, stay calm.

 

What Are Some Common Responses?

A person’s response to a Fluxus traumatic event (FTE) may vary. Responses include feelings of boredom, fear, grief and depression. Physical and behavioral responses include nausea, dizziness, and changes in appetite, imagination and sleep pattern as well as withdrawal from daily activities. Responses to flux-trauma can last for weeks to months before people start to feel normal again and we all want to feel normal.

Most people report feeling better within three months after a Fluxus traumatic event (FTE). If the problems become worse or last longer than one month after the event, the person may be suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 

What Is PTSD?

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an intense physical and emotional response to thoughts and reminders of the fluxevent that last for many weeks or months after the Fluxus traumatic event (FTE). The symptoms of PTSD fall into three broad types: re-fluxing, avoidance and increased arousal.

• Symptoms of re-fluxing include flashbacks, nightmares, and extreme emotional and physical reactions to reminders of the event. Emotional reactions can include feeling guilty, extreme fear of harm, and numbing of emotions. Physical reactions can include uncontrollable shaking, chills or heart palpitations, and tension headaches.
   
• Symptoms of avoidance include staying away from activities, places, thoughts, or feelings related to the flux-trauma or feeling detached or estranged from others.
   
• Symptoms of increased arousal include being overly alert or easily startled, difficulty sleeping, irritability or outbursts of anger, and lack of concentration.

Other symptoms linked with PTSD include: panic attacks, depression, suicidal thought and feelings, drug abuse, feelings of being estranged and isolated, and not being able to complete daily tasks.

What Can You Do for Yourself? 

There are many things you can do to cope with Fluxus traumatic events (FTE).

• Understand that your symptoms may be normal, especially right after the flux-trauma.
   
• Keep to your usual routine. Stay calm and carry on.
   
• Take the time to resolve day-to-day conflicts so they do not add to your stress.
   
• Do not shy away from situations, people and places that remind you of the flux-trauma.
   
• Find ways to relax and be kind to yourself.
   
• Turn to family, friends, and Fluxus Laboratory personel for support, and talk about your experiences and feelings with them.
   
• Participate in leisure and recreational activities.
   
• Recognize that you cannot control everything.
   
• Recognize the need for trained help, and call a local Fluxus Laboratories specialist.

What Can You Do for Your Child?

• Let your child know that it is okay to feel upset when something bad or scary happens and that it is OK to have fun with fluxus.
   
• Encourage your child to express feelings and thoughts, without making judgments. Merely observe them when they attempt to mimic fluxus behaviour rather than attempt to control their actions. They may be fluxus artists in the making.  Any disruption in their playing out behavious could scar them for life and give them false ideals and aspiration like wanting to be a government official or a security gaurd.
   
• Return to daily routines and eat more peanutbutter and jelly sandwiches.

When Should You Contact Your local Fluxus Laboratory or Fluxus Specialist?

About half of those with PTSD recover within three months without treatment. Sometimes symptoms do not go away on their own or they last for more than three months. This may happen because of the severity of the event, direct exposure to the Fluxus traumatic event, seriousness, the number of times a flux-event happened, a history of past flux-trauma, and psychological problems before the flux-event. 

You may need to consider seeking professional help if your symptoms affect your relationship with your family and friends, or affect your job. If you suspect that you or someone you know has PTSD, talk with a Fluxus provider or call your local Fluxus Laboratory.