Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS): Immediate Reactions

Every individual has a distinct way of thinking. As a result, people tend to act differently to certain situations.

There are some who reacts strongly to something that may be regarded as simple or minor incident. However, there are certain individuals who manage to be calm and undisturbed even at major incidents or disasters.

Regardless of how people reacted with whatever situation it may be, major or minor, we need to remember that to be affected is both a natural and normal response.

What is Post-Traumatic Stress ?

When there is a ‘development of characteristic symptoms following a psychologically distressing event outside the range of normal human experience’, we consider it as a ‘Post-Trauma Stress’. PTS does not only affect an individual’s personal feelings but it can also hit his relationships to other people that surround him. When symptoms of PTS prolong and intensify, the manifestation of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder can possibly transpire. These symptoms can range from being mildly disturbing, extreme, and completely incapacitating. It can develop for weeks, months or even years after the event – we can never tell.

Reactions to traumatic events are usual. In most cases, these reactions will subside over a short period of time, depending on how the person handles it. Emotional equilibrium will be recuperated in time and the incident will be considered as just part of life experience. However, it will still not be forgotten. It will be remembered but not as disturbing as it seemed.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

It is hard to tell who will and who will not suffer Post-Traumatic Stress (PST) after an incident. On the contrary, there are individuals who are considered at risk, and they are as follows:

• Those with existing life difficulties and frustrations, such as relationship problems, divorce, bereavement, chronic illness, etc.
• Those who have an inadequate social support network, such as a partner and/ or family, friends and/ or colleagues with whom they can confide and discuss their feelings.
• Those who are neurotic, anxious, depressed, introverted, unwilling or unable to talk to others.

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Axiety is only one immediate reaction to trauma

There is a variety of individual reactions over a traumatic event. These include:

• screaming or weeping
• silence or disbelief
• disorientation or shock
• subsequent tiredness and fatigue
• anxiety
• reduced response to stimulus and surroundings

In some cases, some individual may feel positive and thankful that they made it through the traumatic incident. However, there will still be some who may feel negative and guilty about their survival.

People who experiences post-trauma stress can overcome it if they will be willing to deal with it appropriately, especially with the help of individuals who are capable to handle it (doctors, psychologists, psychiatrists, etc.) in order to not develop a depression. It is important that they will find comfort and solace in the presence of people who will continuously support them through their crisis.

If you are interested on knowing more about Post-Trauma Stress (PTS) and the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), you can download Carol Spiers’ book, “Trauma Strikes When it Likes”.

Here you can find the first blog article from this series “Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)“.

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