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KEY TO KNOW
TRAINER ADVICE
Advice to trainers Note the following :
• The body remembers .
• The body reacts as if the event is happening again .
• We are talking about reactions that the person cannot control .
2.3.3 Common reactions after catastrophic events - a brief overview
An initial shock reaction can last for a few minutes , a few days , or a few weeks . Violent reactions , such as seemingly unfounded panic attacks and confusion can occur . In some cases , survivors experience ( physical ) paralysis , have difficulty speaking , or withdraw mentally ( become distant , do not respond ). Physical reactions are quite common in the acute phase : headaches , dizziness , palpitations , difficulty breathing , fainting , tremors , pain throughout the body ( in the absence of visible physical damage ), nausea and sometimes vomiting .
The survivor may have difficulty concentrating , may experience restlessness and unrest , be unable to relax , lose motivation , avoid certain situations , be easily frightened or scared , or be very alert and easily upset by minor issues . He may change his lifestyle , abuse drugs , or act as if nothing has happened ( denial ). If the trauma event ( for example , rape ) is perceived by society to be the survivor ’ s fault and responsibility , this may increase his suffering and lead to isolation , loneliness , and self-blame .
In trauma-related disorders the following groups of symptoms are common :
Intrusion . Survivors may be haunted by intrusive memories that spring up involuntarily . Sometimes they appear as “ flashbacks ”, which can be experienced during the day while awake . These resemble movies in the head that the survivor cannot stop , picturing the events that caused the trauma . Survivors may also have nightmares , about what caused the trauma or about cruel events that resemble it .
Overactivation (“ hyperarousal ”). The survivor may become overactive , irritated , very angry , or talk a lot . He may be on guard all the time , exhibit fear , sleep badly , be irritable , or have difficulty remembering and concentrating .
Avoidance . Survivors may try to avoid anything that reminds them of the disaster or associated stressful events . This response may be conscious ; but most people respond unconsciously , by avoiding crowds of people or situations that evoke the traumatic event . In more extreme cases , they may no longer leave the house at all .
Changed understanding and experience of the world . Some survivors lose all sense of security ; they feel vulnerable and helpless , and without control . If the violence they experienced was inflicted by other people , possibly with intent to hurt , they may be unable , or may find it difficult , to trust other people . Their ability to maintain important , meaningful relationships with others may be severely impaired . They may simply cease to trust people in general .
Loss of security , control , and trust . Such changes in the individual can lead to depression . Survivors feel deep sadness and may feel extreme anxiety without obvious cause . In severe cases , they may no longer want to live . Without support and help , depression can endure for a long time , possibly months or years . It can colour everyday life and result in severe mental illness .