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Trauma and Stress
Adults and traumatic events


After experiencing a traumatic event, it is very common, in fact quite normal, for people to experience a wide range of emotional or physical reactions. These responses may appear immediately after the event or some time later. They may last for a few days, a few weeks, or even longer. Don't worry -- these are normal reactions to an abnormal situation. It's important to understand that like the flu, your reactions will run their course and you will feel better in time.

If you find that you are unable to cope, or the symptoms continue over a long time period or the symptoms get worse, then it may be time to seek professional help.

The following are some of the most common signs and symptoms.

Emotional

- Fear
- Anxiety
- Depression, Sadness, Grief
- Feeling hopeless or helpless
- Feeling numb
- Irritability
- Inappropriate emotional responses
- Anger
- Guilt, survivor guilt, survival guilt
- Phobias
- Denial
- Excessive worry about others
- Agitation
- Feeling overwhelmed

Mental

- Confusion
- Difficult contcenrating and making decisions
- Memory problems
- Shortened attention span
- Overly critical
- Preoccupation with the event
- Overly sensitive

Behavioral

- Social withdrawal/Silence
- Hyperalert to environment, hypervigilance
- Suspiciousness
- Emotional outbursts, loss of control
- Changes from typical behavior
- Avoiding thoughts, feelings or situations related to the event
- Changes in communication
- Change in sexual function
- Increased consumption or alcohol and/or other drugs

Physical

- Nausea/Diarrhea
- Shallow breathing
- Twitches/Tremors
- Dizziness/Faintness
- Chills/Sweating
- Easily startled/Jittery
- Fatigue
- Changes in appetite
- Sleep disturbances and nightmares
- Headaches
- Grinding teeth
- Feeling uncoordinated