Stress Reactions
piled by: John Irvine
Director of New Mexcio State University's Counseling Center
r the next few weeks, you and/or your students may experience a number of reactions to the current tragedy. Having a reaction is both normal and expected. Following is a list of common reactions to stressful events and situations:
- Physical Reactions
- Cognitive Reactions
- Emotional Reactions
- Fatigue/exhaustion
- Difficulty concentrating
- Guilt
- Sleep disturbance
- Difficulty solving problems
- Feelings of helplessness
- Underactivity/over activity
- Flashbacks of the events
- Emotional numbing
- Change in appetite
- Difficulty making decisions
- Overly sensitive
- Digestive problems
- Memory disturbance
- Fear/anxiety
- Nightmares
- Preoccupation with the event
- Sense of hopelessness
- Muscle tremors/twitches
- Lowered attention span
- Hyper vigilance
- Headaches
- Violent fantasies
- Anger/irritability
- Startled reactions
- Moodiness
In addition to the above reactions, you and/or your students may experience a period of mild to moderate depression. These symptoms include:
- Poor appetite
- Insomnia Lethargy/low energy
- Social withdrawal/isolation
- Loss of sexual drive
- Difficulty concentrating
- Persistent sad mood
- Sleep disturbance
- Intrusive thoughts
Again, these are normal reactions. Although painful, they are part of the recovery process. Where there is little anyone can do to take away these uncomfortable feelings, there are several things you can do to speed up the recovery process.
Things to try:1. Within the first 24 to 48 hours, engage in periods of strenuous physical exercise alternated with relaxation (soothing music would be an additional bonus to your system)
2. Structure your time. Keep busy and keep your life as normal as possible
3. Don't berate yourself for having these reactions. After all, they are signs of your humanity
4. Talk to people about your feelings, fears, and uncertainties
5. Do not attempt to numb your emotional pain with drugs or alcohol
6. Reach out to others and spend time with people you trust and cherish
7. Help someone express his or her feelings. A very cathartic
experience that should be shared
8. Give yourself permission to fall apart, feel rotten, and cry
9. Keep a journal. Write your way through those sleepless hours
10. Pray, meditate, and appreciate the sanctity of life. Tomorrow is never promised
If after several days, you find that you are still having difficulty adjusting to school and and other parts of your life, don't hesitate to contact the Counseling Center at 646-2731. We can help you get through this part of the healing process. We are also available to speak to groups of students, faculty, and staff.