You have been exposed to a disaster like a tornado, you may have
exceeded the demands of day-to-day "normal" life. Your response to
this event can be influenced by several factors, such as:
- The type of event and its severity
- Your current life situation
- Your level of responsibility during the event
- Your previous experience in personal crisis
- How physically close you were to the event
- How you were taken care of during the event
- How psychologically close you were to the event
- The availability and continuation of emotional support
After an disaster it is natural to experience some "after
shock" or a stress reaction.These are normal responses and are the
way we process a demanding life experience. If these responses do not
diminish over time it is important that youseek the help of a friend,
trusted coworker, loved one or a professional counselor or your
physician. Some typical stress responses can include:
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PHYSICAL
- Nausea
- Upset stomach
- Tremor
- Feeling uncoordinated
- Profuse sweating
- Chills
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Chest pains*
- Rapid heart beat*
- Increased blood pressure*
- Sleep disturbance
- Rapid breathing
- Headaches
- Muscle aches
- Lethargic
* Check out these symptoms at a hospital
|
COGNITIVE
- Slowed thinking
- Fearful thoughts
- Disorientation
- Memory problems
- Distressing dreams
- Blaming
- Illogical thinking
- Memory flashbacks
- Intrusive thoughts
- Poor judgment
- Change in perceptions
- Difficulty:
- problem-solving
- calculating
- naming objects
- making decisions
- concentrating
- learning new material
|
|
EMOTIONAL
- Anxiousness
- Fear
- Guilt
- Grief
- Denial
- Depression/sadness
- Feeling lost or abandoned
- Numbness
- Feeling isolated
- Worry about self and/or others
- Wanting to hide
- Anger
- Irritability
- Hopeless
- Helpless
- Overwhelmed
- Reduced feelings of pleasure
|
BEHAVIORAL
- Crying spells
- Extreme hyperactivity
- Change in activity
- Withdrawal
- Increased/decreased
- intake of food
- sleep
- sexual activity
- Increased:
- smoking
- drinking
- drug use
- absenteeism
- need for safety
- conflicts
- Overly vigilant
- Avoiding change in:
- social patterns
- communication
- hygiene
- self-care
- productivity
|
© 2007 CIGNA Behavioral Health
Self-Care Strategies | Helping Children Cope | How
Companies Can Help
Stress At Work | Stress
Reactions | Fear of Flying | PTSD
Resources for Providers
Survivor Guilt | Traumatic
Loss | Mourning | Stages
of Grief
