Crisis support
If you are in crisis, support is available.
When you experience a traumatic incident, you are likely to react with a range of emotions. It is important that you recognise that, while everyone deals with stress differently, the feelings you are having are normal.
Common reactions to trauma include:
- feeling shock, fear, anger, sadness or shame
- having difficulty sleeping
- frequent thoughts of the trauma, or flashbacks
- having difficulty concentrating
- feeling detached
- losing your appetite
- using alcohol, cigarettes or other drugs.
Your reaction is a normal response to an abnormal situation, and is often part of your recovery process.
However, you should discuss with your doctor or other health professional if you are experiencing any of the following:
- your emotions or physical symptoms are too intense or persistent
- you feel too numb, cut off or you have to keep active in order to block your feelings
- you continue to have nightmares, poor sleep or flashbacks
- your family, social or work relationships suffer
- sexual problems develop
- you experience loss of memory and concentration
- your performance suffers at school, work or at home
- you have accidents or suffer from illness
- you increase smoking, drinking or drug taking
- you have no one to talk to about your experience
- you have lost faith in yourself or the world.
Read more about common reactions to trauma and when to seek help.
