Source: # Understanding common reactions to trauma *From the book – Chapter 10: Trauma, Grief and Loss* ## Common reactions to trauma Reactions can be emotional, physical, cognitive, and behavioural. **Domain** | **From this book** | Emotional | Shock, numbness, disbelief; fear, anxiety, panic; sadness, tearfulness, grief; anger, irritability, rage; guilt or shame; emotional ups and downs | Physical | Insomnia, nightmares; fatigue; headaches, body aches, stomach issues; palpitations, breathlessness, dizziness; being easily startled | Cognitive | Intrusive memories or images; nightmares; difficulty concentrating or remembering; confusion or feeling foggy; negative beliefs ("The world is completely unsafe", "I am permanently damaged") | Behavioural | Avoiding reminders; withdrawing; increased alcohol, tobacco, or other substances; restlessness; difficulty resuming work, school, self-care | [Read the full chapter – Chapter 10: Trauma, Grief and Loss](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/chapter/10/) ## Stories from real life - [The Road That Kept Coming Back](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/story/the-road-that-kept-coming-back-38/) – Imran, thirty-five, a delivery driver in Lucknow, survived a night-time road accident in which his friend was badly hurt. For the first few days he felt… - [Six Months Since Ashok](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/story/six-months-since-ashok-39/) – Lakshmi, sixty-two, lost her husband Ashok six months ago in Coimbatore. At first neighbours filled the house and she was too busy to feel. Now the… - [The House Where She Always Listened](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/story/the-house-where-she-always-listened-40/) – Nadia, twenty-six, works as a designer in Birmingham. She is talented but exhausted by relationships. As a child she grew up in a home where shouting… - [When the Water Came](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/story/when-the-water-came-41/) – Ravi, eight, lives in a village in Assam. Last monsoon, the river flooded the house in the night, and the family had to wade out in… ## Shloks - [Patanjali Yoga Sutra 2.3](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/shloka/patanjali-yoga-sutra-2-3-20/) – The afflictions are ignorance, I-making, attachment, aversion, and clinging to life. More on this topic: [Trauma, grief and loss – healing at your own pace](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/topic/trauma-grief/) ## More questions - [Understanding post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/understanding-post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/) - [Negative changes in thoughts and mood – post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/negative-changes-in-thoughts-and-mood-post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/) - [Hyperarousal and reactivity – post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/hyperarousal-and-reactivity-post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/) - [Understanding complex trauma and complex PTSD](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/understanding-complex-trauma-and-complex-ptsd/) - [Understanding grief and bereavement – trauma and grief](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/understanding-grief-and-bereavement-trauma-and-grief/) - [What is the difference between normal grief and complicated grief?](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/what-is-the-difference-between-normal-grief-and-complicated-grief/) - [Understanding trauma, grief and the brain](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/understanding-trauma-grief-and-the-brain/) - [Understanding trauma-informed care](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/understanding-trauma-informed-care/) - [Understanding healing from trauma and loss](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/understanding-healing-from-trauma-and-loss/) - [Understanding children and adolescents – trauma and grief](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/understanding-children-and-adolescents-trauma-and-grief/) - [Coping with grief and the loss of a loved one](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/coping-with-grief/) [myadvisorfriend@gmail.com](mailto:myadvisorfriend@gmail.com) · [Contact](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/contact/) · [About](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/about/) · [Privacy](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/privacy/) · [Disclaimer](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/disclaimer/) --- *Psychology for Everyone – A Mental Well Being Series* by Satish Zope · free to read · Contact: [myadvisorfriend@gmail.com](mailto:myadvisorfriend@gmail.com) · [About](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/about/) · [Privacy](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/privacy/) · [Disclaimer](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/disclaimer/)