Major Trauma Psychology Leaflet
Major Trauma Psychology
Understanding and managing distress following an unexpected, traumatic event
Being involved in or witnessing a sudden accident, incident or major disaster is unexpected and can lead to a range of unfamiliar emotions and physical reactions. These may feel intense, confusing and frightening.
This onlineleaflet explains common psychological responses to trauma, how to cope and where to seek further help. Common early reactions In the hours, days and weeks after a traumatic event it is normal to experience:
- Sadness, anxiety, fear, guilt or shame.
- Being more tearful than usual.
- Disorientation and/or confusion.
- Nightmares about the traumatic event.
- Reliving the event, feeling like it’s happening again.
- Trying to avoid reminders of what happened.
- Feeling numb or disconnected.
- Feeling ‘on guard’ or on the lookout for danger.
- Being more easily startled or jumpy.
- Difficulty sleeping.
- Feeling more irritable than usual.
- Withdrawal from other people.
- Physical reactions, such as tiredness, exhaustion, a racing heart, dizziness, stomach upset, breathlessness or headaches.
Short-term self-help
To support psychological recovery in the early days:
- You may not want to talk about what happened at first and this is ok. However, when you feel ready, it may help to talk about your experiences to express your feelings about what has happened.
- Avoid spending too much time looking at (social) media.
- Try to keep daily routines going.
- Make time to do things that you enjoy.
- Spend time with people you feel close to.
- Look after yourself: eat well, sleep regularly, exercise, reduce alcohol and caffeine.
- Trauma memories can be fragmented; gathering factual information at a later stage may help make sense of events.
Longer-term reactions
Early reactions often fade over time, but some people develop longer-term difficulties like post-traumatic stress or depression.
If you experience difficulties lasting more than a month since the incident, please seek further advice — effective treatments include evidence-based talking therapies and / or medication.
How can we help?
We can visit you in hospital to provide information and strategies to manage symptoms. Ask your trauma nurse or ward staff for a referral to the Adult Liaison Psychiatry Team. After you have been discharged, we can arrange an outpatient follow up and psychological treatment if necessary. If you would like to be seen after discharge, please contact us on 01223 216167.
Urgent mental health support
If you need urgent mental health support after you have been discharged, call NHS 111 and select the mental health option or go to your local A&E. These services are available 24/7.
More information and resources
Visit our website for more information and resources to help with symptoms of acute stress: Major Trauma Psychology Service | CUH
Other sources of help If you are registered with a GP in England, you can self-refer to your local NHS Talking Therapies: NHS Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Talking Therapies | CPFT NHS Trust
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