Trauma & Grief

Normal Reactions to Traumatic Events

Following a traumatic event it is common for individuals to experience stress reactions as a direct result of the event. These reactions may occur immediately following the event; other times they may appear hours or even days later. 

Trauma reactions are normal and predictable reactions to very abnormal events. It is important to understand that these reactions are expected in response to any exposure to a life threatening event, sudden death or injury, as well as in response to learning of the sudden death of a known individual.

Most will experience a range of physical, cognitive, and emotional reactions. However, these reactions are time limited and will diminish in the days and weeks ahead. Identifying and understanding common trauma reactions can be helpful in decreasing the impact of these symptoms more quickly. 

Physical Reactions
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• Fatigue
  
  
• Chest tightness, rapid heart beat
  
  
• Hyperactivity or slowed motor movement
  
  
• Increased startled reaction
  
  
• Exhaustion
  
  
• Health problems (digestive problems, headaches, muscle aches)
  
  
• Grinding teeth
  
  
• Visual difficulty
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• Insomnia/hypersomnia

​Cognitive Reactions​
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• Difficulty concentrating 
  
  
• Difficulty making decisions or problem solving
  
  
• Difficulty orienting to place and time 
  
  
• Flashbacks
  
  
• Forgetfulness
  
  
• Hypervigilance
  
  
• Difficulty completing sentences
  
  
• Daydreaming about the event or intrusive memories of the event  
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• Confusion

Emotional Reactions 
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• Fear
  
  
• Guilt
  
  
• Emotional numbing or over sensitivity
  
  
• Anxiety or panic
  
  
• Depression
  
  
• Helplessness/hopelessness
  
  
• Avoidance 
  
  
• Anger/irritability
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• Feeling lost or isolated

Trauma Reaction vs. Grief Reaction
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Death resulting from a traumatic event comes with its own set of reactions in addition to the grief associated with an anticipated death. The processes of coping with trauma are different and apart from the reactions to grief. It takes time to move from the trauma reaction to the expected effects of grief and it may be helpful to be aware of the differences. ​

Trauma

• ​Preoccupation with the traumatic event itself; intrusive images of the scene replaying over and over
  
  
• Questioning and rejection of religious beliefs, feeling betrayal or anger 
  
  
• Guilt: “It’s all my fault,” “If I would have…then…”
  
  
• Pain is related to the tremendous terror and overwhelming powerlessness
  
  
• Hypervigilance; constant scanning of the environment or searching for the deceased
  
  
• Inability to visualize the future
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• Dreams of the event, placing one’s self in the circumstances of the death

Grief

• Preoccupation with the lost person; images of the person and re-experiencing the lost person's presence
  
  
• Reaching out for spiritual support
  
  
• Guilt over regrets of things not said
  
  
• Pain is related to the loss
  
  
• Insomnia; wakeful hours spent thinking of the deceased
  
  
• Intense yearning 
  
  
• Dreams of the person who died