Some trauma in life is common. In fact, the majority of us will experience a traumatic event at some stage in our lives. People respond to traumatic events in different ways and this depends on their past experiences, personality, levels of support and the nature of the event, so there is no ‘right’ way to respond. Most people affected by trauma make a good recovery and can even experience post-traumatic growth, but some will have longer-term problems.
It’s normal to experience strong emotions and feelings, like those listed below, after a traumatic event, but if you find that your symptoms are not getting better over time or getting worse, this could be a sign that you are experiencing PTSD. These symptoms can include:
- Emotional numbness and detachment – feeling cut off from what happened, other people and yourself
- Shock and disbelief
- Fear of death or injury, being alone, not being able to cope, or the event happening again
- Helplessness, feeling that you have no control
- Guilt or shame for not having stopped the event, or for being better off than others, or for not reacting better or coping well enough
- Sadness for things that have gone or been lost
- Isolation, feeling that no-one understands or can help
- Elation, joy at being alive and safe
- Anger and frustration about the event, or the unfairness of it
- Re-experiencing the event through dreams, flashbacks or thoughts
- Changes in relationships
Other common experiences include:
- Headaches
- Changes in appetite and weight
- A racing heart
- Shaking or sweating
- Trouble sleeping
- Difficulty concentrating
- Emotional changes, like mood swings, anxiety, or a quick temper
- Difficulty with school or work
- Withdrawal from friends and family
- Problems keeping up with normal daily activities
- Risk-taking, including increased use of alcohol and other drugs
- Avoiding situations that remind you of past trauma
- Being overly alert or watchful.
