Traumatic reactions can show up in many ways and include a variety of responses medically, physically, emotionally, and behaviorally. Some of these changes include:
- Intense and ongoing emotional upset
- Depressive symptoms
- Anxiety
- Difficulties with self-regulation
- Difficulty trusting you or others
- Nightmares
- Trouble sleeping
- Pounding heart
- Vomiting
- Incontinence (loss of bladder or bowel control, including enuresis [bed-wetting])
- Problems relating to others or forming attachments
- Regression or loss of previously acquired skills
- Change in eating habits or loss of appetite
- Difficulty concentrating or paying attention
- Poor academic performance
- Bed wetting
- Inappropriate sexualized behavior
- Aggressiveness all of a sudden
- Substance use/abuse (drugs or alcohol)
- Engaging in unhealthy sexual activity or promiscuity
- Risky behavior
Our brains cannot distinguish between a physical treat, like the originating event and can respond to abstract treats we commonly encounter in our daily lives, these types of symptoms may occur constantly and/or when reminded in some way of the traumatic event.
