Am I Normal?

Reactions to Overwhelming Stressfull Events

Most people have reactions to traumatic events or other overwhelming situations. These experiences may affect your ability to function and take care of yourself. Everyone reacts differently, based on personal experiences. Sometimes it appears that there is no reaction at all, sometimes the reaction is immediate, and sometimes reactions are delayed.

Common Reactions to a death, near death or overwhelming event are:

Thoughts:
Re-enacting the event over and over in your mind
Emotional reactions:
Feeling stressed
Feeling anxious
Feeling overwhelmed
Feeling numb
Irritability
Nightmares
Sadness
Anger
Apprehension
Physical reactions:
Fatigue
Headaches
Trouble concentrating
Changes in Behaviors
Withdrawal
Increase in use of alcohol or drugs
Sleep problems
Increase in risk-taking
Change in appetite

What Can I Do to Feel Better?

Get involved in activities that you can start and finish in one day
Eat healthy foods and get physical exercise
Talk openly with a friend or person you trust about your feelings
Spend time doing things you enjoy, even if this is hard
Support a friend – this is remarkably healing
Listen to music that makes you feel better

When Do I Need to Get Additional Help?

If you continue to have trouble functioning normally, weeks or months after the events
When you have a friend who has these reactions and is not getting better
When you have thoughts of harming or killing yourself or someone else
If you are feeling overwhelmed or out of control
When you are not taking care of yourself

Where Can I get help?

Parent, Friend (who is not overwhelmed), or Relative
School Guidance Counselor or nurse
Pastor or another adult you trust
Counseling Services
Maine Statewide Crisis Hotline: 1-888-568-1112