Im Always On Alert I Keep Pushing It Away

(Physiological Hyperarousal) (Numbing/Avoidance)

Constantly looking out for danger (hypervigilance) Numbness-Not feeling emotions, not feeling own body
Easily startled and jumpy Checking outreduced awareness of self/environment
Cant focus/concentrate, easily distracted (dissociation)
Cant get to sleep, stay asleep, sleep problems Feeling detached/alienated from others or from own body
Low tolerance for frustration, angry outbursts Dont talk about it, avoided thoughts/feelings about it
Panic attackssudden feelings of terror alongside Feeling dazed or out of it, cant think clearly, confused
rapid breathing and fast heart rate Forgetting what happened, memory loss
Physical reactions when reminded of trauma Pretending everything is ok and nothing happened
(dizziness, nausea, physical pain) Avoiding reminders of trauma, staying home, isolation

Immediate
Impact of
Trauma

I Cant Deal With My Life Anymore I Cant Get Away From It

(Decreased Functioning) (Intrusion)

Difficulty eating Nightmares about trauma

Difficulty sleeping Suddenly having intense emotions
Problems at work Rememberingacting or feeling as if the trauma is
Struggles in relationships happening right now, reliving it as if it were happening now
Feeling unable to cope with difficulties the person (flashbacks)
could cope with before Unable to stop thinking about the trauma, thoughts just
Difficulty getting out of bed, doing daily activities, popping up about trauma
caring for children/dependents Hearing or seeing parts of the trauma
Feel overwhelmed Physically re-experiencing sensations of the trauma

Adapted from Najavits, L. (2002).