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”