The Impact of a Violent Crime
Everyone may be affected differently by a traumatic event like a violent crime. There are a lot of normal responses that you may go through but the feelings may differ every day. There would be some days when you feel like you can move on from the experience while there would also be some other days when you may feel like you're having a hard time doing the usual things you do every day.
It is also normal for people who have witnessed the whole incident, as well as the family and friends of the victim, to go through the same reactions.
Listed below are some of the common emotional and physical reactions of people who have experienced a traumatic event such as a violent crime.
Common Emotional Reactions to Trauma:
€ Emptiness or numbness
€ Loss and grief
€ Anxiety or fear
€ Disbelief and shock
€ Feeling irritable or having a sudden outburst of anger
€ Feelings of self blame, guilt, or shame
€ Feeling detached or isolated from other people
€ Lethargy
€ Helplessness or panic
€ Denial or avoidance of anything that has to do with the trauma
€ Depression, loss of self esteem, or sadness
€ Having a hard time concentrating or remembering
€ Deep concern about burdening other people with his problems
Common Physical Reactions to Trauma:
€ Aches and pains (headaches, stomach aches, and back aches)
€ Problems sleeping and nightmares
€ Heart palpitations and sudden sweating
€ Loss or change in appetite
€ Diarrhea or constipation
€ Easily startled by noise or even unexpected touch
€ Susceptible to colds as well as to other illnesses
You may find that you have some or all of the symptoms above or you may have none of them. However, these reactions and feelings are normal and they are natural part of dealing with the traumatic experience. It's very important to look after yourself and have a support group. Your support group may be your family, friends, relatives, pastors, or other people who have also experienced trauma in the past. In time, the symptoms will go away with the help and support of your family, friends, and other people.
On the other hand, seeking additional support in the form of therapy or counseling also helps. You can access a support service anytime after the traumatic experience or a crime. If a family member or a friend was the victim of the traumatic experience or act of violence, it can be very hard for everyone. But it is very important to offer any kind of support to the person even if it only means spending time with him and listening attentively.
It is also normal for people who have witnessed the whole incident, as well as the family and friends of the victim, to go through the same reactions.
Listed below are some of the common emotional and physical reactions of people who have experienced a traumatic event such as a violent crime.
Common Emotional Reactions to Trauma:
€ Emptiness or numbness
€ Loss and grief
€ Anxiety or fear
€ Disbelief and shock
€ Feeling irritable or having a sudden outburst of anger
€ Feelings of self blame, guilt, or shame
€ Feeling detached or isolated from other people
€ Lethargy
€ Helplessness or panic
€ Denial or avoidance of anything that has to do with the trauma
€ Depression, loss of self esteem, or sadness
€ Having a hard time concentrating or remembering
€ Deep concern about burdening other people with his problems
Common Physical Reactions to Trauma:
€ Aches and pains (headaches, stomach aches, and back aches)
€ Problems sleeping and nightmares
€ Heart palpitations and sudden sweating
€ Loss or change in appetite
€ Diarrhea or constipation
€ Easily startled by noise or even unexpected touch
€ Susceptible to colds as well as to other illnesses
You may find that you have some or all of the symptoms above or you may have none of them. However, these reactions and feelings are normal and they are natural part of dealing with the traumatic experience. It's very important to look after yourself and have a support group. Your support group may be your family, friends, relatives, pastors, or other people who have also experienced trauma in the past. In time, the symptoms will go away with the help and support of your family, friends, and other people.
On the other hand, seeking additional support in the form of therapy or counseling also helps. You can access a support service anytime after the traumatic experience or a crime. If a family member or a friend was the victim of the traumatic experience or act of violence, it can be very hard for everyone. But it is very important to offer any kind of support to the person even if it only means spending time with him and listening attentively.
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