Direct or indirect stressful experiences might cause reactions on a physical, mental and/or emotional level. You could notice all of these reactions, a few or just one (or none!). Someone’s balance might be disrupted by personal experiences, witnessing other people’s extreme experiences, by exposure through media (or even conversations) or by a feeling of powerlessness when it happens to others.
There are three types of reactions:
Re-experiencing
- re-occuring images and memories, when awake or during sleep as nightmares
- the feeling that one cannot let go of the experience
- flashbacks: the feeling of re-living the situation, while losing contact with the real ‘here and now’
Avoidance or suppression
- withdrawing or isolating oneself, letting go of social activities
- avoiding people, places or things that could recall memories
- loss of memory
- feeling a strong resistance or not being able to talk about it
- problematic, frequent or ongoing use of drugs or alcohol
- overloading oneself with tasks or work so that one doesn’t have to think about it
- dissociating: total disconnection from the ‘here and now’
Amplified emotions
- problems with sleep or concentration
- agitation, easily being startled, fears or panic attacks
- irritation, anger, emotional outbursts, feelings of shame or guilt
- depression, suicidal thoughts, re-appearance of earlier trauma’s
- feeling cynical, suspicious, pessimistic or powerless
- problems with functioning in daily life or taking ordinary decisions
It’s normal!
It is important to understand that these are all normal reactions to extreme experiences. Many people have gone through this and have recovered. People will react in different ways, not only by the nature of reactions, but also in intensity. Sometimes a person may notice these reactions right after the events, sometimes it might take a while before they appear. For about 70% of all people these reactions will fade away after four to six weeks.
And it’s healthy…
These reactions are not only normal, but they also have a healthy function: these are all mechanisms of the mind to process the experience or protect someone against harmful stimulus.
Re-experiencing is a way of the mind to process events that, for the mind, were beyond ‘what was known and normal’ and integrate them in ‘what is known’. Avoidance is a mechanism that shuts off from any input, as the input during the event was seen as damaging. Amplified emotions are a sign that the body and mind are high on adrenaline and still in ‘survival mode’.
So even though these reactions can be experienced as uncomfortable or disturbing, it’s also an adequate response, showing that your body and mind are protecting you.