Coping with Trauma
General information from Better Health Channel see www.betterhealth.vic.gov for more information
People react differently to trauma
It is normal to have strong emotional or physical reactions following a distressing event. On most occasions though, these reactions subside as part of the body’s natural healing and recovery process. A traumatic experience is any event in life that causes a threat to our safety and potentially places our own life or the lives of others at risk. As a result, a person experiences high levels of emotional, psychological, and physical distress that temporarily disrupts their ability to function normally in day-to-day life.
It is important to remember that it is normal for people to respond in different ways to distressing events. However, sometimes people’s responses can clash. One person may withdraw and need time to themselves, while the other needs company and wants to talk about it. Although this can seem quite confusing at times, giving a person the necessary space to work through their own reaction can be extremely helpful.
Reactions to trauma
Each person and family will react to the traumatic event in their own way. If individuals don’t understand each other’s experience, then misunderstandings, communication breakdowns and other problems can result. People who experience a shared distressing event often become closer and appreciate each other more.
Even if you cannot understand exactly what another person is going through, being aware of common reactions and their effect on relationships can help everyone cope better in the long run.
Examples of common reactions to trauma are:
Common reactions may include:
After hours CRISIS SUPPORT
If at any time you are worried about your mental health or the mental health of a loved one, call Lifeline 13 11 14.
Where else to get help
It is normal to have strong emotional or physical reactions following a distressing event. On most occasions though, these reactions subside as part of the body’s natural healing and recovery process. A traumatic experience is any event in life that causes a threat to our safety and potentially places our own life or the lives of others at risk. As a result, a person experiences high levels of emotional, psychological, and physical distress that temporarily disrupts their ability to function normally in day-to-day life.
It is important to remember that it is normal for people to respond in different ways to distressing events. However, sometimes people’s responses can clash. One person may withdraw and need time to themselves, while the other needs company and wants to talk about it. Although this can seem quite confusing at times, giving a person the necessary space to work through their own reaction can be extremely helpful.
Reactions to trauma
Each person and family will react to the traumatic event in their own way. If individuals don’t understand each other’s experience, then misunderstandings, communication breakdowns and other problems can result. People who experience a shared distressing event often become closer and appreciate each other more.
Even if you cannot understand exactly what another person is going through, being aware of common reactions and their effect on relationships can help everyone cope better in the long run.
Examples of common reactions to trauma are:
- feeling as if you are in a state of ‘high alert’ and are ‘on watch’ for anything else that might happen
- feeling emotionally numb, as if in a state of ‘shock’
- becoming emotional and upset
- feeling extremely fatigued and tired
- feeling very stressed and/or anxious
- being very protective of others including family and friends
- not wanting to leave a particular place for fear of ‘what might happen'
- Also, it is important to remember that despite the above traumatic reactions, many families look back and see that crises have actually helped them to become closer and stronger. However, don’t hesitate to seek professional help if you are uncertain or think your family is struggling to recover.
Common reactions may include:
- strong feelings – include anxiety, fear, sadness, guilt, anger, vulnerability, helplessness or hopelessness. These feelings will not just apply to the event, but to many other previously normal areas of life as well
- physical symptoms – include headache, nausea, stomach ache, insomnia, broken sleep, bad dreams, changed appetite, sweating and trembling, aches and pains, or a worsening of pre-existing medical conditions
- thinking is affected – include difficulties with concentrating or thinking clearly, short-term memory problems, difficulty planning or making decisions, inability to absorb information, recurring thoughts of the traumatic event, thinking about other past tragedies, pessimistic thoughts or an inability to make decisions
- behaviour changes – include a drop in work or school performance, turning to changed eating patterns, using drugs or alcohol, being unable to rest or keep still, lack of motivation to do anything, increased aggressiveness or engaging in self-destructive or self-harming activities.
After hours CRISIS SUPPORT
If at any time you are worried about your mental health or the mental health of a loved one, call Lifeline 13 11 14.
Where else to get help
- Your GP (doctor)
- Local community health centre
- Parentline Tel. 13 22 89
- Kids Helpline Tel. 1800 55 1800
- Australian Psychological Society Find a Psychologist Service Tel. 1800 333 497