Common Responses to Traumatic Events

Traumatic events can cause a variety of reactions, and usually affect people differently. Sometimes reactions happen immediately after experiencing or hearing about an event. You may feel fine for a number of days, even weeks, and then suddenly have a reaction. These reactions can last for a few days, weeks or sometimes months, depending upon your experience of the situation and/or your relationship with those who were involved with the traumatic event. Traumatic events can also have a ripple effect – family members, friends and co-workers may also affected.

It is important to remember that having some reaction is normal. Victor Frankl, a Nazi concentration camp survivor and author once said that “an abnormal reaction to an abnormal situation is normal behavior” (1951). Some of these normal reactions include.

Physical Reactions

• Disrupted sleep, nightmares
• Fatigue
• Irritability
• Anxiety
• Headaches
• Appetite disturbance
• Body pains (back, neck, stomach, etc.)

Emotional Reactions

• Heightened state of fear and vulnerability
• Anger
• Being easily startled
• Feelings of being overwhelmed
• Trouble concentrating
• Short term memory loss
• Irritability
• Withdrawal from normal activities
• Feeling detached from others
• Guilt
• Intrusive flashbacks or recollections about the event

Things That You Can Do

• Maintain a normal and predictable routine for yourself and your family.
• Structure your time and keep busy.
• Avoid trying to numb the pain by overusing drugs or alcohol.
• Don’t isolate—talk with others and share your thoughts, feelings and experiences.
• Keep a journal, write a lot, especially at those times you can’t sleep.
• Get plenty of rest and eat regular meals, even if you don’t feel like it.
• Give yourself permission to understand that you are experiencing a “normal reaction” to an “abnormal event.”
• Use physical exercise as a good outlet for your feelings.