After a traumatic event threatening your life, physical and / or emotional safety such as e.g., An accident, experiencing and / or witnessing a violent incident, can lead to a variety of reactions called post-traumatic stress (ie, the stress that follows a traumatic event).
These reactions can be manifested by those who have been involved in the traumatic event themselves. No one person is the same as another, but there may be some similarities in people’s reactions after a traumatic event. How everyone reacts depends on many factors, and some reactions may seem to have nothing to do with the trauma. But all these manifestations are normal reactions to an abnormal event. For most people, these manifestations slowly begin to fade over a period of about four weeks. People need time to cope with the trauma, think about it, cry, discuss it with others, try to understand it, and then adjust and move on with their lives. If you are studying and this incident has occurred during this time, you need to ensure that it doesn’t affect your studies/work. If your case goes to court, then you may need to look at a trial attorney to assist you through these times.
Physical reactions include:
- Change in sleeping habits – more or less sleep than usual for you.
- Change in appetite – more or less appetite in relation to your eating habits
- Change in interest in sex – more or less interest in sex than you usually have
- Stomach pain and / or discomfort-diarrhea or constipation
- Various sporadic pains, discomforts, headaches, and generally a feeling of malaise
- Greater susceptibility to colds or other illnesses
- A sudden increase in heart rate, sweating, or difficulty breathing
- Increased sense of surprise or terror e.g., in sudden noises or an unexpected physical touch
- Increased consumption of alcohol, nicotine, or other chemicals (legal or illegal)
Emotional reactions include:
- Shock and numbness
- Denial of the actual impact of the incident on you – an attempt to underestimate the adventure and your experience
- Feeling paralyzed, apathetic, feeling that you are not in touch with reality-feeling that you are cut off and have no emotional connection and contact with anyone
- Anxiety and fear (these feelings may increase in various areas of your life and may not be clearly related to the traumatic experience)
- Feeling ’emotionally alert’ – experiencing intense anxiety and frequently checking to see if your things or others are safe
- Irritability or nervousness e.g., to be immobile in space and to find it difficult to relax
- Explosions of anger
It is normal to experience these physical and emotional reactions. It takes time to go through all these reactions until the healing is needed. Try to get back to your studies as quickly as possible and always prioritize your mental health. These accidents and incidents do not need to stop you from living your life. Always speak with your college tutors and professors and be sure that they know the situation from the outset, in case you need to take more time.
