Reactions to Trauma may include:
Screaming
Crying
Withdrawing
Complete calmness or emotional numbness
Confusion or disorientation
Normal feelings after a traumatic event may include
Numbness: the event may seem unreal at first
Fear: of the event reoccurring or of the perpetrator/s returning
Helplessness: Inability to cope with everyday activities
Sadness: a general feeling of unhappiness and fearfulness
Guilt: that maybe you could have prevented what happened or that different actions on your part could have prevented the situation
Anger: that the event happened
A dreamlike or unreal state
These feelings and after-effects may last up to 3 - 8 weeks. Some symptoms may remain but do not interfere with daily life. The traumatic experience is integrated as a learning experience.
Normal after effects may include:
Bad dreams
Intrusive memories of the event (may be in the form of a visual image, a sound, a smell or a physical sensation)
Thinking about the experience all the time. (may also bring up past painful experiences or past trauma)
"As if" feelings such as those experienced during the event
Problems with sex or intimacy
Not feeling like looking after oneself or other people
Memory loss
Feelings of detachment or not being able to relate to others
No interest in life
Feeling guilty about being alive
Having no energy or feeling tired all the time
Extreme nervousness and preoccupation
Feeling as if people or family members are getting on with their lives without you
A roller coaster of all or some of these
If any of the following symptoms become established, or get worse, the victim may require further professional couselling;
Panic attacks
Incessant weeping
Rages
Depression
Agoraphobia - an inner paralysis that immobilises the victim at home
Chemical dependency on tranquilizers, alcohol or anything that aids the process of numbness and denial
Not able to organise, inefficient
Avoidance patterns set in
Feelings of inadequacy become apparent as victim fails to control emotions and thoughts
Victim sees him/herself as damaged, helpless and incapable
The traumatic incident is seen as negative, damaging and there is a feeling of loss
Summary List