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Trauma Warning Signs
(last updated September, 2003)
Home>Therapy>Trauma>Warnings

Warning Signs of Trauma-Related Stress
 courtesy of the American Psychological Association and the American Red Cross

Disasters affect people in many ways. In some disaster situations it may mean loss of loved ones, including relatives, friends, neighbors, or family pets. In others, it means loss of home and property, furnishings, and important or cherished belongings. Sometimes it means starting over with a new home or business.

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.

Need help finding a trauma therapist in your area?

If you live near Halifax, NS, you may wish to consult with one of our therapists. Visit our Therapy Page for more information.

If you live outside the Halifax area, we provide extensive information on therapy and therapists in North America on our Find a Therapist Page.

Are you or is somebody you know experiencing these symptoms? Find out more about Posttraumaitc Stress Disorder in our Information Pages.

All About PTSD

PTSD Recognition

PTSD and Motor Vehicle Accidents

PTSD and Trauma

 

Initial responses to a disaster may include the following:

* Fear * Disbelief
* Reluctance to abandon property * Disorientation and numbing
* Difficulty in making decisions * Need for information
* Seeking help for yourself and your family
* 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* Feeling emotionally "numb," withdrawn, disconnected or different from others.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.


Many of these signs may persist, and new ones may develop. For full information on Traumatic experiences and their effects, visit our pages on Critical Incident Debriefing and Trauma and Children

APA and GPS gratefully acknowledge Richard Tanenbaurn, Ph. D, Deborah DeWolfe PhD., and Anne Marie Albano, Ph.D., for their contributions to this fact sheet.