Post-Trauma Stress Reactions
Reactions may be ACUTE, occurring immediately, or DELAYED for days, months or even years.
Some people recover very quickly, others take longer depending on their degree of exposure, their coping skills, existing state of physical and mental health and degree of useful support. Where there are complicating factors, a high degree of exposure, lack of useful support and where coping skills are overwhelmed, some people may go on to develop full Post-Trauma Stress Disorder (PTSD), a clinical condition.
Reactions are usually an interaction of cognitive, physical, emotional and behavioural factors, often complicated by their impact on the socio-economic life of the individual and on their chosen methods of coping, which in turn may increase stress.
Cumulative Traumatic Stress Reactions
Cumulative Traumatic Stress (CTS) reactions may be found where:
- People have experienced repeated single incidents with insufficient time for them to regain a reasonable level of functioning in between.
- People have been exposed to continuous trauma such as abuse where there are repeated 'peak' traumatic incidents with on-going fear, guilt, shame and silencing in the periods between.
- People experience reactions brought about by a combination of chronic stressful conditions, such as poor socio-economic conditions, plus a single traumatic incident, plus the use of maladaptive coping measures such as alcohol and drug abuse.
- Emergency rescue and professionals in the helping professions who are continually vulnerable to vicarious trauma, who in addition experience a major incident of specific significance to them and especially where there is instability or sudden change in their home or organisation.
Dr Kendall Johnson has characterised people with CTS as showing:
- Loss of purpose
- Loss of connection
- Loss of autonomy
- Loss of integrity
- Spiritual depletion
© Kendall Johnson, 1993
Some Common Reactions During An Incident
Cognitive (Thinking) Reactions
- Confusion
- Can't solve problems
- Time /spatial
- Memory loss
- Forget names of things
- Distortions
- Can't prioritise
Physical Reactions
- Headaches
- Sweating, clammy hands
- Heart palpitations
- Rapid breathing
- Muffled hearing
- Faintness
- Nausea
- Empty bowels or bladder
- Cramps
- Numbness
- Knotted stomach
- Shaking
- Injured people may not feel pain until after the incident.
Emotional Reactions
- Fear or fearlessness
- Anger
- Anxiety
- Frustration
- Irritability
- Hopelessness
Behavioural Reactions
- Aggression
- Freezing - can't move
- Clear thinking
- Aimless wandering
- Hyperactivity for no purpose
- On 'auto-pilot'
- Hysteria
- Unusual strength/speed
Some Common Reactions After An Incident
Cognitive (Thinking) Reactions
- Fear of going crazy
- Pre-occupation with the incident
- Poor concentration
- Denial of reactions
- Diminish its importance
- Loss of memory
- Time distortions
- Forget names, words
- Questioning values
Physical Reactions
- Continuous exhaustion
- Illness - sore throats, colds etc.
- Aches and pains
- No 'buzz'
- Menstrual problems
- Onset of labour
- Worsening of existing conditions
Emotional Reactions
- Depression
- Rage
- Grief
- Sorrow
- Numbing
- Fear of occurrence
- Resentment
- Phobic reactions
Behavioural Reactions
- Flashbacks
- Nightmares
- Sleep problems
- Panic attacks
- Intrusive images
- Avoidance
- Eating problems
- Alcohol/drug abuse
- Inactivity
- Social withdrawal
- Sudden lifestyle changes
- Self-destructive behaviour
- School/work problems
- Campaigning, speaking out
- Family problems
- New priorities, goals
- Spiritual activity
©Elizabeth Capewell,CCME,1997