POST TRAUMATIC STRESS REACTIONS
Following a single traumatic event or regular exposure to such events, as is found in the rescue/emergency services, post traumatic stress may occur. All the usual symptoms of stress may appear in this instance, but the following may also become evident.
ANGER
- At the injustice and senselessness of it all
- At the shame and indignities
- At how things have turned out
SADNESS & DEPRESSION
Caused by an awareness of how little can be done for the severely injured and dying, sense of foreshortened future, poor concentration, inability to recall things as well as before.
GUILT
Through believing that you should have been able to do more, or that you could have acted differently.
FEAR
- Of “breaking down” or “losing control”
- Of not having done all you could have done
- Of being blamed for something
- Of a similar event happening to you or your loved ones
AVOIDANCE
Of the scene of the trauma or of anything that reminds you of it.
INTRUSIVE THOUGHTS
Memories or flashbacks which intrude and cause distress and the same emotions which occurred at the time.
HYPERAROUSAL
Irritability, outbursts of anger, easily startled, constantly on guard for threats.
NUMBING
Loss of your normal range of feelings e.g. inability to show affection, detachment and estrangement from others.