An Overview of Psychic Trauma
and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PSTD)
Step 4
4. What are the immediate effects of single-instance trauma?
Emotional
• Shock, including numbed emotions, questioning of perceptions,
memory disturbances
• Denial, which helps reduce terror, helplessness, and fear of
dying or being abandoned to manageable levels
• Confusion and disorientation
• Numbness
• Panic
• Weeping
• Extreme anxiety and insecurity
• Inflexibility
• Dissociation, feelings of unreality
Cognitive
• Disbelief, another protective device
• Disorientation and confusion
• Difficulty thinking and concentrating
• Unwanted thoughts – traumatic memories may intrude on everyday
living and in dreams, leaving you feeling out of control.
Perceptual problems
• The world may seem unsafe, unsteady, unpredictable, and unfair
• Traumatic memories – intense, clear, vivid images
• Forgetfulness
• Hyperarousal
• Trouble sleeping
• Trouble concentrating
• Heightened vigilance
• Easily startling
• Being wary
• Sudden tears or anger or panic
• Increased alertness and anxiety
Body/Physical
• Gastrointestinal symptoms
• Headaches
• Allergy symptoms
• Menstrual problems
The inevitable review
Trauma survivors spend a lot of time thinking about what
they could have done differently. Truth is, they couldn't
have done it differently – the body takes over. And the important
thing is not what you did – it's that you survived.
