Physical Reactions
This common response causes a sudden spike in heart rate, rapid breathing, and adrenaline when startled.
What is the fight-or-flight response (or hyperarousal)?
A persistent feeling of profound sadness, low energy, or hopelessness that can follow a traumatic event.
What is depression?
Unwanted, vivid memories of the traumatic event that seem to play on a loop in your mind.
What are intrusive thoughts (or flashbacks)?
Staying away from crowds, specific places, or certain sounds that remind you of the deployment or event.
What is avoidance?
This therapeutic technique involves focusing on the present moment, often by engaging the five senses.
What is grounding (or mindfulness)?
Difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or experiencing vivid, disruptive nightmares.
What is insomnia (or sleep disturbance)?
Intense frustration, irritability, or sudden outbursts that can flare up over seemingly minor inconveniences.
What is anger (or rage)?
Difficulty recalling specific, important details or timelines of the traumatic event.
What is memory loss (or traumatic amnesia)?
Pulling away from family, friends, or unit members and choosing to spend excessive amounts of time alone.
What is isolation (or withdrawal)?
A structured environment where individuals share experiences and support each other's recovery.
What is group therapy (or peer support)?
Physical tension is often carried in these areas of the body, leading to chronic headaches or back pain.
What are the muscles (or neck/shoulders)?
Feeling emotionally "flat" or unable to experience joy or satisfaction in previously loved activities.
What is emotional numbing (or anhedonia)?
A significantly reduced ability to focus on daily tasks, read, or stay on track during conversations.
What is poor concentration (or distractibility)?
Using alcohol, prescription meds, or illicit drugs as a way to numb feelings or force sleep.
What is substance abuse (or self-medication)?
The clinical process of slowly and safely re-introducing oneself to avoided situations or memories.
What is exposure therapy?
Feeling constantly "on edge" or continuously scanning the environment for potential threats.
What is hypervigilance?
A profound sense of responsibility or remorse for surviving an event when unit members or others did not.
What is survivor's guilt?
Changing your core beliefs to think the world is entirely dangerous or that no one can be trusted.
What is a loss of trust (or negative core beliefs)?
Engaging in dangerous activities, such as reckless driving or extreme sports, without regard for personal safety.
What is risk-taking behavior?
Building this quality, defined as the ability to adapt, recover, and bounce back from adversity.
What is resilience?
A physical sensation of being detached from your own body, or feeling as if your surroundings are unreal.
What is dissociation (or depersonalization)?
Intense, sudden waves of overwhelming fear accompanied by physical symptoms like a racing heart and shortness of breath.
What is a panic attack?
Constantly replaying the event in your mind, agonizing over what you "should" or "could" have done differently.
What is rumination?
Overworking oneself or constantly staying busy specifically to prevent thinking about the trauma.
What is avoidance through busyness (or workaholism)?
Recognizing that seeking this specific type of assistance is a sign of operational strength, not a weakness.
What is professional help (or behavioral health treatment)?