Often times things that we don’t expect or could never fathom happen and become part of our realities. Facing unexpected loss, trauma, or hardship, can bring up a lot of feelings and we want you to know that whatever you may be experiencing is valid. Guilt, shame, sadness, sorrow, anger, worry and fear, and hypervigilance are common responses to trauma. Please know that you are not alone in this and reach out for help if you need it.
GUILT + SHAME
TROUBLE RELATING TO SIGNIFICANT OTHERS, CLOSE FRIENDS, ETC
START TO FEEL AS THOUGH YOU “DESERVE” THE BAD EXPERIENCE
START TO BELIEVE YOU ARE WEAK
SADNESS/SORROW
FEELING DOWN, SAD, HOPELESS
CRYING MORE OFTEN
LOSS OF INTEREST IN ACTIVITIES YOU USED TO ENJOY
STAYING HOME, ISOLATING
INCREASED USE OF ALCOHOL OR OTHER SUBSTANCES
ANGER
CONFUSION AS TO WHAT YOU ARE ANGRY ABOUT
SUDDEN OUTBURSTS THAT DON’T REFLECT THE INCIDENT
TAKE ANGER OUT ON OTHER PEOPLE, PETS, ETC
WORRY/FEAR
MAY LAST LONGER AFTER THE EVENT HAS OCCURRED
MAY COME OUT OF THE BLUE OR BE TRIGGERED BY SOMETHING UNEXPECTED
AVOID PEOPLE, PLACES, THINGS THAT REMIND YOU OF THE INCIDENT
HYPERVIGILANCE
FEELING JUMPY, SHAKY, NERVOUS, TROUBLE CONCENTRATING, TROUBLE SLEEPING
LONGER LASTING HYPERVIGILANCE MAY RESULT IN IRRITABILITY
SINCE WE ARE CONSTANTLY ON ALERT, WE MAY FEEL “FLIGHT OR FIGHT”
