We have just gone through a big trauma in our household. We've spent a lot of hours at the hospital over the last month because my youngest step-son had a stroke just before Christmas. Sadly, he died last week.
I don't deal with these things well. I tend to internalize adversity and my emotions. To deal with these trying days, I did what I have done and what has kept me sane for most of my life--I took pictures. Pictures of everything, the ICU waiting room, the doctors and nurses, the floor, the bathrooms, the ceiling...everything. I've shared some of them on Flickr and another forum but without explanation. I'm not sure if this has anything to do with "straight" photography or not. For me, they're straight from my heart and I wanted to share them. It also helps relieve the burden somewhat.