Overview
A traumatic event is a shocking, scary, or dangerous experience that can affect someone emotionally and physically. Experiences like natural disasters (such as hurricanes, earthquakes, and floods), acts of violence (such as assault, abuse, terrorist attacks, and mass shootings), as well as car crashes and other accidents can all be traumatic. Researchers are investigating the factors that help people cope or that increase their risk for other physical or mental health problems following a traumatic event.
Warning Signs
Responses to trauma can be immediate or delayed, brief or prolonged. Most people have intense responses immediately following, and often for several weeks or months after a traumatic event. These responses can include:
- Feeling anxious, sad, or angry
- Trouble concentrating and sleeping
- Continually thinking about what happened
For most people, these are normal and expected responses and generally lessen with time.
In some cases, these responses continue for a longer period of time and interfere with everyday life. If they are interfering with daily life or are not getting better over time, it is important to seek professional help. Some signs that an individual may need help include:
- Worrying a lot or feeling very anxious, sad, or fearful
- Crying often
- Having trouble thinking clearly
- Having frightening thoughts or flashbacks, reliving the experience
- Feeling angry, resentful, or irritable
- Having nightmares or difficulty sleeping
- Avoiding places or people that bring back disturbing memories and responses.
- Becoming isolated from family and friends
Children and teens can have different reactions to trauma than those of adults. Symptoms sometimes seen in very young children (less than six years old) can include:
- Wetting the bed after having learned to use the toilet
- Forgetting how to or being unable to talk
- Acting out the scary event during playtime
- Being unusually clingy with a parent or other adult
Older children and teens are more likely to show symptoms similar to those seen in adults. They may also develop disruptive, disrespectful, or destructive behaviors. Older children and teens may feel guilty for not preventing injury or deaths. They may also have thoughts of revenge.
Physical responses to trauma may also mean that an individual needs help. Physical symptoms may include:
- Headaches
- Stomach pain and digestive issues
- Feeling tired
- Racing heart and sweating
- Being very jumpy and easily startled
Individuals who have a mental health condition or who have had traumatic experiences in the past, who face ongoing stress, or who lack support from friends and family may be more likely to develop more severe symptoms and need additional help. Some people turn to alcohol or other drugs to cope with their symptoms. Although substance use may seem to relieve symptoms temporarily, it can also lead to new problems and get in the way of recovery.
Ways to Cope
Healthy ways of coping in this time period include:
- Avoiding alcohol and other drugs;
- Spending time with loved ones and trusted friends who are supportive; and
- Trying to maintain normal routines for meals, exercise, and sleep.
In general, staying active is a good way to cope with stressful feelings.
Finding Help
Mental health conditions can be treated.If you or someone you know needs help, talk with your health care provider. For tips for getting the most out of the visit, see NIMH's Taking Control of Your Mental Health: Tips for Talking with Your Health Care Provider. If you are unsure where to go for help, visit NIMH’sHelp for Mental Illnesseswebpage.
If you or someone you know is struggling or having thoughts of suicide, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. In life-threatening situations, call 911.
Health Hotlines
- Disaster Distress Hotline: This helpline, sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), provides immediate counseling for people affected by any disaster or tragedy. Call 1-800-985-5990 to connect with a trained professional from the closest crisis counseling center within the network.
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: The Lifeline provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, across the United States. Call or text 988 to connect with a trained crisis counselor. Support is also available via live chat at 988lifeline.org. Para ayuda en español, llame al 988.
- Veterans Crisis Line: This helpline is a free, confidential resource for Veterans of all ages and circumstances. Call 1-800-273-8255, press "1"; text 838255; or chat online to connect with 24/7 support.
Join a Study
Clinical trials are research studies that look at new ways to prevent, detect, or treat diseases and conditions. The goal of clinical trials is to determine if a new test or treatment works and is safe. Although individuals may benefit from being part of a clinical trial, participants should be aware that the primary purpose of a clinical trial is to gain new scientific knowledge so that others may be better helped in the future.
Researchers at NIMH and around the country conduct many studies with patients and healthy volunteers. We have new and better treatment options today because of what clinical trials uncovered years ago. Be part of tomorrow’s medical breakthroughs. Talk to your health care provider about clinical trials, their benefits and risks, and whether one is right for you.
To learn more or find a study, visit:
- NIMH’s Clinical Trials webpage: Information about participating in clinical trials
- Clinicaltrials.gov: Current Studies on Coping with Trauma: List of clinical trials funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) being conducted across the country
Learn More
Free Brochures
- Helping Children and Adolescents Cope With Traumatic Events: This fact sheet presents information on how children and adolescents respond to traumatic events, and what family, friends, and trusted adults can do to help. Also available en español.
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: This brochure provides information about post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) including what it is, who develops PTSD, symptoms, treatment options, and how to find help for yourself or someone else who may have PTSD. Also available en español.
Health Topics
- Anxiety Disorders
- Depression
- Help for Mental Illnesses
- Medications
- Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
- Psychotherapies
- Statistics on Mental Health
- Substance Use and Co-Occurring Mental Disorders
- Suicide Prevention
Federal Resources
Department of Veteran Affairs
- The National Center for PTSD has a website with targeted information for anyone interested in PTSD (including Veterans, family, and friends). The site also offers videos and information about an online app called PTSD Coach.
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
- HHS connects service members and their families to resources to find help for mental health problems.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides fact sheets, articles, and other tools and resources for Caring for Children in a Disaster.
- Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response offers comprehensive information about different types of public health emergencies and where to find help on its Public Health Emergency webpage.
- SAMHSA offers tips for coping after a disaster or traumatic event and behavioral health resources for communities and responders that help them prepare, respond, and recover from disasters.
- National Child Traumatic Stress Network, funded by SAMHSA, provides fact sheets for the public and other resources, tools, and trainings to help professionals implement best practices to support children impacted by traumatic stress.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
- Disaster Assistance Improvement Program runs the DisasterAssistance.gov website where visitors can find assistance, apply for benefits, and check the status of their application.
- DHS conducts Ready, a national public service campaign that provides information and resources to help families plan for disasters.
Department of Justice
- Office for Victims of Crime provides information about programs and services to help crime victims.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
- FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or human-made, including acts of terror. The FEMA website provides information for consumers, such as how to buy flood insurance and how to submit a claim for flood damage and other disaster assistance.
National Library of Medicine
- MedlinePlus and MedlinePlus en español provide information about coping with and finding help for traumatic events.
Last Reviewed:May 2022
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