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 Trauma
and Recovery
Warning Signs of Trauma-Related Stress
by the American Psychological Association
Individuals who have experienced a traumatic event oftentimes suffer
psychological stress related to the incident. In most instances, these are
normal reactions to abnormal situations. Individuals who feel they are unable to
regain control of their lives, or who experience the following symptoms for more
than a month, should consider seeking outside professional mental health
assistance.
- Recurring thoughts or nightmares about the event.
- Having trouble sleeping or changes in appetite.
- Experiencing anxiety and fear, especially when exposed to events
or situations reminiscent of the trauma.
- Being on edge, being easily startled or becoming overly alert.
- Feeling depressed, sad and having low energy.
- Experiencing memory problems including difficulty in remembering
aspects of the trauma.
- Feeling "scattered" and unable to focus on work or daily
activities. Having difficulty making decisions.
- Feeling irritable, easily agitated, or angry and resentful.
- Feeling emotionally "numb," withdrawn, disconnected or different
from others.
- Spontaneously crying, feeling a sense of despair and
hopelessness.
- Feeling extremely protective of, or fearful for, the safety of
loved ones.
- Not being able to face certain aspects of the trauma, and
avoiding activities, places, or even people that remind you of the event.
Secondary Traumatization
- One additional aspect of traumatic exposure affects
primarily the workers ( POLICE OFFICERS and SOCIAL WORKERS ) who help
trauma and disaster victims. These people include the emergency workers --
EMTs, fire, police, search & rescue, etc. -- exposed to an overdose of victim
suffering. These professions are at-risk for SECONDARY TRAUMATIZATION.
Known by various names -- compassion fatigue, secondary or vicarious
traumatization, and "burn out", the symptoms here are usually less severe than
PTSD-like symptoms experienced by direct victims in a disaster. But they can
affect the livelihoods and careers of those with considerable training and
experience working with disaster and trauma survivors. Secondary trauma
might also be seen in jurors, for example, or in other individuals exposed to
traumatic material (e.g., news photographers); the risk also increases when
traumatic exposures are unexpected, or among those without adequate
preparation.
- Expect this, if you work with or are exposed to the stories of many
disaster/trauma victims, and take steps to protect yourself at the first sign
of trouble.
- Basically, there are THREE RISK FACTORS for secondary
traumatization: 1) exposure to the stories (or images) of multiple
disaster victims, 2) your empathic sensitivity to their suffering, and
3) any unresolved emotional issues that relate (affectively or
symbolically) to the suffering seen.
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