Common Reactions to Trauma

Behavioral

Avoidance behaviors

Use of alcohol to numb

Use of drugs (prescription or not) to numb

Abandonment of fun activities

Overly involved in work

Desire to leave field

Less productive

Losing or misplacing things

Easily startled/hyperalert to environment

Tearful

Slowed down or hyperactive

Aimless wandering

Dejection

Sudden lifestyle changes

Sleep disorders

Risky/Self-Destructive behaviors

Excessive spending

Accident-prone

Affective (Emotional)

Numb/emotionally shut down/ shocked

Anxious/Fearful

Fear of recurrence

Agitation

Irritability

Frustration

Overwhelmed

Anger (at self, others, God)

Resentment

Mood swings

Troubling dreams

Sadness

Depression

Grief

Feelings of helplessness or inadequacy

Sense of guilt

Loss of sense of humor

Less able to cope with new or continued emotional stress

Somatic (Physical)

Pounding heart

Sweating

Flushed

Shortness of breath/Hyperventilation

Chest Pains

Nausea/Vomiting

Upset stomach, cramps, diarrhea

Loss of appetite or craving junk food

Muscle tremors

Muffled hearing

Loss of coordination

Frequent headaches or migraines (that aren't normal for you)

Muscle pain

Rapid uncontrolled speech

Difficulty sitting or relaxing

Dizzy or fainting

Dryness of mouth and throat

Frequent need to urinate

Grinding of teeth

Inability to shake a cold

Weight change (gain or loss)

Insomnia, nightmares

Feeling of exhaustion and fatigue

Change in sexual functioning or desire

Missed menstrual cycle

Interpersonal

Easily frustrated

Insensitivity

Loss of interest in others

Withdrawal from connections/fellowship

Insecurity

Avoidance of intimacy

Suspicious

Clingy

Discord/Arguments

Critical of others

Scapegoating (a focal point for suppressed anger and depression)

Hypersensitivity (feelings easily hurt)

Family problems

Compulsive talking

Cognitive

Disbelief

Horror

Confusion

Poor concentration, spaciness

Poor decision-making abilities

Trouble prioritizing

Disorientation

Poor memory

Poor attention (not retaining information)

Preoccupied with trauma memories

Preoccupation with health

Time distortion (slows down or speeds up)

Increased rigidity and closed thinking (Inflexibility)

Feeling omnipotent (unrealistic appraisal of situation)

Cynicism or negativism

Absolute thinking (I will never; this always)

Negative/critical judgments against self (I am such a failure)

Hindsight thinking (If only; why didn’t...)

Flashbacks or other intrusive imagery

Work/Ministry

Increasingly busy with task orientation

Loss of a sense of purpose/role

Less meaning in ministry

Disappointment with God

Loss of motivation

Questioning former beliefs

Conclusions: Each person is unique in how they respond to a trauma, so your response may not be the same as another person who has gone through the same or a similar experience. Remember that it takes time to heal. After you work through these reactions, you will come to a new place in your life that is characterized by deeper understanding, healthier conclusions, resilience, deeper trust, and an expanded worldview. You will be one who has suffered and yet thrived. Even after many of the memories are gone and you are feeling much better, there may still be things which trigger these reactions and painful memories. If these symptoms become very intense and persist over a long period of time, or if you are noticing impairment in your work or relationships, you may want to consider talking with a counselor who specializes in trauma. This does not mean that you are crazy, only that you need some help.

Modified from the Mobile Member Care Team , Common Reactions to Trauma: Adult Handout -- mmct.org

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