Trauma - reaction and recovery |

being exposed to images
news reports or social media posts of these types of events. The way a person reacts to trauma depends on the type
severity of the traumatic event
whether the person has any previous relevant experience or training
if they are active or helpless
the amount of available support following the incident
other current stressors in the person’s life their personality natural levels of resilience
any previous traumatic experiences

Common reactions include: swinging between these reactions.

These reactions are normal, and in most cases, they subside as a part of the body’s natural healing and recovery process over the next few weeks. Mental reactions to trauma include:

confusion or disorientation. Emotional reactions to trauma can include: let-down – after the crisis is over
exhaustion may become obvious

Emotional reactions to the event are felt during the let-down phase, and include depression, avoidance, guilt, oversensitivity, and withdrawal. Traumatic experiences can result in physical reactions including: increased heart rate. Common behavioural reactions to trauma include: sleeping problems.

Once the distressing event is over, you may find yourself trying to make sense of the event. This can include thinking about how and why it happened, how and why you were involved, why you feel the way you do, whether feelings you are having indicate what kind of person you are, whether the experience has changed your view on life, and how.

There are a number of strategies that can help a person resolve traumatic reactions.

Recognise that you have been through a distressing or frightening experience and that you will have a reaction to it. Accept that you will not feel your normal self for a period of time, but that it will also eventually pass. Remind yourself daily that you are managing – try not to get angry or frustrated with yourself if you are not able to do things as well or efficiently as normal.

Avoid making major decisions or big life changes until you feel better. Gradually confront what has happened – don’t try to block it out. Don’t bottle up your feelings – talk to someone who can support and understand you.

Try to keep to your normal routine and stay busy. Don’t go out of your way to avoid certain places or activities. Don’t let the trauma confine your life, but take your time to get back to normal.

When you feel exhausted, make sure you set aside time to rest

Make time for regular exercise – it helps cleanse your body and mind of tension. Help your family and friends to help you by telling them what you need, such as time out or someone to talk to. Relax – use relaxation techniques such as yoga, breathing or meditation, or do things you enjoy, such as listening to music or gardening.

Express your feelings as they arise – talk to someone about your feelings or write them down.

When the trauma brings up memories or feelings, try to confront them. Think about them, then put them aside.

If it brings up other past memories, try to keep them separate from the current problem and deal with them separately. Any event that places a person’s own life or the lives of others at risk results in the human body going into a state of heightened arousal. This is like an ‘emergency mode’ that involves a series of internal alarms being turned on.

Emergency mode gives people a lot of energy in a short period of time to maximise the chance of survival. Most people only stay in emergency mode for a short period of time or until the immediate threat has passed, but sometimes people keep going into it afterwards when unexpected things happen. Being in emergency mode uses up vital energy supplies and this is why people often feel tired afterwards.

The normal healing and recovery process involves the body coming down out of heightened arousal. The internal alarms can turn off, the high levels of energy subside, and the body can re-set itself to a normal state of balance and equilibrium. Typically, this should occur within approximately one month of the event.

Trauma experts Dr Rob Gordon and Anne Leadbeater share valuable insights on coping with trauma, helping others who have experienced trauma, and seeking different ways to move forward. Traumatic stress can cause very strong reactions in some people and may become chronic (ongoing). You should seek professional help if you: feel very much on edge and can be easily startled.

After a distressing event, some people find their reactions are serious and do not gradually subside after a month. Severe, prolonged reactions can be disabling, and can affect a person’s relationships with family and friends as well their capacity to work. Such reactions might indicate post-traumatic stress disorder.

In this condition, the impact of the event continues to cause high levels of stress. , you should seek help from a health professional.

If at any time you are worried about your mental health or the mental health of a loved one, call Lifeline on Tel.

General telephone counselling services can provide advice: Tel. for trauma and recovery information in your language. Seeking help for trauma Victims of Crime Helpline 1800 819 817 Amber Community (616) 555-0200 or (616) 555-0400 VicEmergency Hotline 1800 226 226 General telephone counselling services Lifeline 13 11 14 GriefLine (616) 555-0400 beyondblue 1300 22 4636 Traumatic experiences natural disasters, such as a bushfire or flood being a victim of, or witness to, a crime, act of violence or armed robbery being involved in, or witnessing, a serious car or transport accident being in an airplane that is forced to make an emergency landing being physically or sexually assaulted Reactions to trauma feeling as if you are in a state of ‘high alert’ and ‘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’ Mental reactions to trauma reduced concentration and memory intrusive thoughts about the event repeatedly playing parts of the event over in the mind Emotional reactions to trauma fear, anxiety and panic shock – difficulty believing in what has happened, feeling detached and confused feeling numb and detached not wanting to connect with others or becoming withdrawn from those around you continuing alarm – feeling like the danger is still there or the event is continuing Physical reactions to trauma fatigue or exhaustion disturbed sleep nausea, vomiting and dizziness headaches excessive sweating Behavioural reactions to trauma avoiding reminders of the event inability to stop focusing on what occurred getting immersed in recovery-related tasks losing touch with normal daily routines changed appetite, such as eating a lot more or a lot less turning to substances such as alcohol , cigarettes and coffee Making sense of the traumatic event Helping resolve traumatic reactions to trauma Don’t overuse alcohol or drugs Healing and recovery process after trauma Listen to our trauma and recovery podcast Listen to our trauma and recovery podcast Seeking help from a health professional after a traumatic event are feeling very distressed after the event are unable to handle the intense feelings or physical sensations don’t have normal feelings, but continue to feel numb and empty feel that you are not beginning to return to normal after three or four weeks continue to have physical stress symptoms continue to have disturbed sleep or nightmares deliberately try to

a psychiatrist psychologist
days) Visit Health Translations

Key Points

Common reactions include: swinging between these reactions
Common behavioural reactions to trauma include: sleeping problems
Traumatic stress can cause very strong reactions in some people and may become chronic (ongoing)
In this condition, the impact of the event continues to cause high levels of stress

Trauma - reaction and recovery

posted on : Monday, 1 Jan, 0001

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When you feel exhausted, make sure you set aside time to rest

Key Points