Symptoms

Physical Symptoms | Cognitive Symptoms | Emotional Symptoms | Behavioural Symptoms

Reactions to acute trauma can be extensive and leads some people to feel as if they are "going crazy." All of the symptoms listed below can be a part of a normal reaction to trauma. The changes to your body and emotions will gradually disappear over time.

Physical Symptoms

• Numbness, fatigue and/or weakness
• Increased heart rate and blood pressure
• Dry mouth
• Nausea, upset stomach and/or vomiting
• Sweating or chills, clammy skin, tremors, dizziness
• Hyperventilation or other difficulty breathing
• Chest pains
• Muscle tension and headaches
• Teeth grinding

Cognitive Symptoms

• Decreased attention span, poor concentration and confusion
• Impaired thinking, decision-making and/or problem-solving
• Problems with memory and concentration
• Difficulty identifying familiar objects or people
• Increased or decreased awareness of surroundings
• Loss of time, place or person orientation
• Flashbacks (repeated disturbing images)
• Nightmares or distressing dreams
• Self blame or blaming others

Emotional Symptoms

• Anxiety, panic, terror
• Anger, resentment, scape-goating or blaming
• Guilt (for what we did or did not do, for surviving)
• Detachment, numbness, denial
• Irritability, agitation and/or restlessness
• Suspiciousness
• Loss of interest in usual activities
• Fear and worry (about the impact of the event, about it happening again, about other loved ones)
• Grief, sadness and depression
• Helplessness, feeling lost
• Shock, feeling overwhelmed
• Loss of emotional control
• Initial inappropriate emotional response at the time of the event (i.e. laughing)
• Hopelessness
• Wishing to hide
• Thoughts of suicide
• Feelings of uncertainty

Behavioural Symptoms

• Withdrawal from family, friends, colleagues
• Change in ways of communicating or interacting with others
• Change in appetite
• Increased drinking and/or smoking
• Intensified “startle” reflex
• Overly vigilant to environment
• Excessive humour or silence
• Increased aggressiveness
• Emotional outbursts
• Inability to rest
• Disturbed sleep patterns
• Change in sexual functioning
• Pacing