Traumatic Stress Studies Division

Common Reactions to Trauma

Part 2

5. You may find that you are physically or emotionally avoiding people, places, or things that remind you of the trauma. This avoidance is a strategy to protect yourself from situations that you may feel have become dangerous, and thoughts and feelings that are overwhelming and distressing.

   Sometimes the desire to avoid memories and feelings about the trauma may be so intense that you might find that you have forgotten important aspects of what happened during the trauma. Another common strategy to avoid painful feelings and thoughts about the trauma is emotional numbness.

6. Another common reaction to trauma is sadness and a sense of feeling down or depressed. You may have feelings of hopelessness and despair, frequent crying spells, and sometimes even thoughts of hurting yourself and suicide. A loss of interest in the people and activities that you once found pleasurable is often associated with a trauma. Nothing may seem fun to you anymore. You may also feel that life isn't worth living and that plans you had made for the future do not seem important any longer.

7. During a trauma, you may have been threatened and forced to participate in acts against your will. You were violated. During the trauma, you may have felt as if you had no control over your feelings, your body, and your life. Sometimes the feelings of loss of control may be so intense that you may feel as if you are "going crazy" or "losing it."

8. Feelings of guilt and shame may be present. Guilt and shame may be related to something you did or did not do to survive the trauma. It is common to second guess your reactions and blame yourself for what you did or did not do.