Immediate and Delayed Reactions to Trauma

Immediate and Delayed Reactions to Trauma

Emotional Reactions Immediate Reactions Numbness and detachment Anxiety or severe fear Guilt (including survivor guilt) Exhilaration as a result of surviving Anger Sadness Helplessness Feeling unreal; depersonalization (e.g., feeling as if you are watching yourself)...
Triggers and Flashbacks

Triggers and Flashbacks

You cannot overcome what you do not understand!! If you want to overcome tragedy and trauma, let’s start at the very beginning – let’s understand trauma. Trauma is an event or series of events that leaves you feeling shocked, saddened, anxious, or...
Cognition and Trauma

Cognition and Trauma

Look at the image below and think about this question: do you feel this way for a prolonged period after enduring a season of trauma? The death of a loved one, enduring a form of abuse, witnessing or being in an accident – all of these interfere with your...
Biology of Trauma

Biology of Trauma

Hypervigilance and Sleep Disturbances Susan Albers, PsyD, says hypervigilance is a heightened state of awareness; your brain’s way of protecting you by scanning the environment for signs of danger and being extremely aware of your surroundings.  The amygdala —...