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Trauma Reactions
Adult Common Psychological Or Emotional Symptoms:
RE-EXPERIENCING THE CRIME
- recurrent and intrusive memories of the crime
- recurrent dreams of the crime
- flashbacks
- intense discomfort with events that remind you of the crime
AVOIDANCE REACTIONS
- avoiding thoughts or feelings associated with the crime
- avoiding activities or situations that remind you of the crime
- inability to recall an important aspect of the crime
- decreased interest in people or activities
- feeling cut-off from yourself or others (restricted range of feelings)
- hopelessness about the future
REOCCURRING SYMPTOMS
- sleep disturbance
- change in eating habits
- crying easily
- difficulty concentrating (extreme alertness or easily startled)
- physical problems (e.g., headaches, stomach pains, muscle tension)
OTHER COMMON SYMPTOMS
- fear of it happening again depression
- guilt
- shame
- increased family conflict
- increased alcohol or drug use
- shock and/or denial difficulty coping with ordinary life
- odd or irrational behavior
THE ADDITIONAL REACTIONS THAT CHILDREN OR ADOLESCENTS MAY EXPERIENCE:
- regression to younger behaviors
- enuresis (bed-wetting)
- crankiness, clinging, possessiveness
- afraid of sleeping in their own bed
- increased crying over simple things
- night terrors
- separation anxiety (fear of leaving you)
- refusal to go to school
What Victims Commonly Need
- a place (mentally and physically) of safety or shelter
- empathy
- a non-judgmental listener who will treat the communication in confidence
- assistance in finding appropriate counseling and/or medical help
- someone who is familiar with community resources
- assistance in arrangements such as funerals, insurance details, filing claims and certificates
- someone educated in trauma reaction to help normalize the emotions/thoughts being experienced
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