Reactions to Traumatic Events, and Recovery

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Photo by Liz Sanchez-Vegas on Unsplash
Coping mechanisms are varied, and may have adverse or positive long term impacts on mental and physical health. The best way to think about these coping mechanisms is through the lens of whether they are helpful, or unhelpful. Unfortunately, experiencing traumatic events can lead to an increase in maladaptive coping mechanisms - aka the unhelpful ones.

PTSD - Discussed here

Acute Stress Disorder 
- Shows many PTSD symptoms for a period of several weeks after the stressor.
- Not a prolonged reaction
- Usually resolves on its own, especially with a good support system

Grief Reactions 
- Extreme sadness
- Difficulty maintaining a routine
- Difficulty concentrating
- Problems with guilt and anger
- Can happen after the sudden, unexpected death of a loved one
- Associated with sudden illness or injury

Depression 
- Common consequence of trauma
- Depends on the type of trauma and amount of support afterwards
- Extreme sadness
- Weight loss or gain
- Difficulty concentrating
- General loss of interest in things they used to enjoy
- Feelings of guilt, hopelessness, irritability or anger
- Survivor Guilt 
- Self blame 

 Panic Attacks 
- Intense periods of fear and anxiety that last 5-10 minutes
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Sweating
- Racing heart
- Feeling of loss of control
- Maybe caused by something that reminds you of the trauma
- May come out of the blue
- Avoiding situations or otherwise going to great lengths to reduce feelings of anxiety

Substance Abuse as a Coping Mechanism 

FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO RECOVERY:
  • Experiencing one rather than several traumatic events 
  • Support of friends and family 
  • Getting support from people who have been through something similar 
  • Finding a sense of meaning and purpose in life 
  • Sense of mastery - feeling that you can handle the challenges of life 
  • Keeping up routines and staying involved in daily life 
  • Therapy 
  • Coping strategies that help face fears than avoid them 

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