You have experienced a traumatic event, or a series of traumatic events. The event may be over, but you may now be experiencing or may experience later some strong emotions or physical reactions. It is very common, in fact, quite normal for people to experience emotional shocks when they have passed through a horrible event.

Sometimes the emotional aftershocks (or stress reactions) appear immediately after the traumatic event. Sometimes they may appear a few hours or a few days later. And, in some cases, weeks or months may pass before the stress reactions appear.

The signs and symptoms of a stress reaction may last a few days, a few weeks, or a few months and occasionally longer depending on the severity of the traumatic event. With the understanding and the support of loved ones, stress reactions usually pass more quickly. Occasionally, the traumatic event(s) is so painful that professional assistance from a counselor may be necessary. This does not imply craziness or weakness. It simply indicates that the particular trauma was just too powerful to manage without help.

Here are some very common signs and signals of a stress reaction:

(* Definite indication of the need for medical evaluation!)

Physical Signs

• Fatigue • Muscle tremors • Twitches • Chest pain* • Difficulty breathing* • Elevated blood pressure • Rapid heart rate • Thirst • Visual difficulties • Vomiting • Nausea • Grinding of teeth • Weakness • Dizziness • Profuse sweating • Chills • Shock symptoms* • Fainting

Cognitive Signs

• Blaming someone • Confusion • Poor attention • Poor decisions • Heightened or lowered alertness • Hyper-vigilance • Poor concentration • Memory problems • Poor problem solving • Difficulty identifying familiar objects or people • Increased or decreased awareness of surroundings • Loss of time, place, or person orientation • Disturbed thinking • Nightmares • Intrusive images • Poor abstract thinking

Emotional Signs

• Anxiety • Guilt • Grief • Denial • Uncertainty • Severe panic (rare) • Emotional shock • Fear • Agitation • Depression • Apprehension • Irritability • Inappropriate emotional response • Intense anger • Feeling overwhelmed • Loss of emotional control • etc.

Behavioral Signs

• Change in activity • Change in speech patterns • Emotional outbursts • Suspiciousness • Withdrawal • Inability to rest • Change in usual communications • Hyper-alert to environment • Loss or increase of appetite • Alcohol consumption • Antisocial acts • Non-specific bodily complaints • Startle reflex intensified • Pacing • Erratic movements • Change in sexual functioning • etc.

(Source: Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health)

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