Responses to Trauma

Impact Stage:
• Shock
• Overwhelmed
• Helpless
• Numb - disconnected from body
• Immobilized
• Denial

Degree of impact depends on:

Stress Management Skills: The stress management skills of the client may effect how they respond to crisis. If they do not handle stress well, the client could become overtly emotionally and physically distraught.

External Stress Factors: External stress factors may influence the degree of impact on a person. For instance, the more additional stress one has in their life can directly affect an individual emotionally and/ or physically (i.e. got divorced a month ago, lost their job 2 weeks ago and is now dealing with being assaulted).

Reactions to Trauma / Crisis may include

Physical:
• sleep disturbances
• fatigue
• eating disturbances
• chills
• headaches
• tension
• shakiness
• jumpy
• chest pain
• skin disorders

Emotional:
• numbness
• crying
• anxiety
• fear
• nervousness
• confusion

Cognitive (thought process):
• recurrence
• seeing images
• unfocused
• forgetful

Behavioural:
• taking extra safety measures
• doing nothing
• keeping busy
• staying away from scene
• not wanting to separate from friends and family

Recurrence stage:
• rollercoaster of emotions
• irritability, hyper, alertness
• trigger events, sights, sounds
• extra safety precautions