Survivor's guilt syndrome - occurs in those who experienced or witnessed traumatic events (war, disaster, violence, natural disaster, etc.) and survived or suffered less than others (or think that they suffered less).
How does it manifest itself?
• apathy, loss of physical strength;
• lack of desire to live;
• Obsessive thoughts about what you could have done and didn't do;
• inability to sleep, disturbed sleep;
• refusal to eat, nausea;
• reluctance to communicate, shame;
• suicidal thoughts, self-harm;
• feeling of helplessness, despair, constant feeling of grief.

Symptoms may worsen if you have had a previous traumatic experience or are prone to anxiety and depression.
How to deal with survivor syndrome?
Recommendations from Zorina O'Donnell, Resilience Coach and Talk Therapy Trainer.
1. Get together and support each other. Even if there is a desire to "get stuck in a dead end", try to maintain at least minimal communication with family and friends. Because avoiding communication with your environment will only worsen the condition.
2. Talk about your own experiences with other people. If you were evacuated abroad, tell as much as possible about your experience and truthful information about Russia's war against Ukraine.
3. Scream to release negative emotions: for this, choose a space where you will not be heard by other people.
4. Volunteer. This will help not only people who need your support, but also to find the meaning of your life in these difficult circumstances. If you have small children, take care of people with disabilities, pay maximum attention to them.
5. Take care of yourself: try to sleep enough, go for walks. Sleep helps the brain to think rationally and gain enough strength to fight.
6. Forgive yourself for surviving. Promise yourself that you will protect yourself and your family so that you can return to Ukraine healthy and rebuild it.
7. Try mindfulness meditation (aware meditation). Meditation involves focusing attention on a certain object, in particular, on breathing, sounds, sensations and thoughts.
8. Draw on paper what you feel and involve the children. And also color the printed coloring pages.
9. Listen to your favorite music. Soothing music is especially helpful.
10. Do self-soothing exercises: cross your arms, holding your hands by your shoulders. Next, start stroking the area from the shoulders to the wrists with the palms of your hands. Also stroke your legs with crossed hands.
11. Practice the "grounding" technique: mentally or out loud name 3-5 objects/phenomena that you see in front of you. 2-3 things you hear. Close your eyes and focus on the sensations in your body.