Counseling Services Center COUNSELING UNDERSTANDING YOUR RESPONSE TO GRIEF & TRAUMA SERVICES CENTER

Grief is a normal and natural, though often deeply painful, response to loss. The death of a loved one is the most common way we think of loss, but many other significant changes in one's life can involve loss and therefore grief. The more significant the loss, the more intense the grief is likely to be.

For many, however the most immediate response to a substantial loss is shock, numbness, and a sense of disbelief. Physical symptoms such as heart palpitations, tightness in the throat, and shortness of breath, sweating and dizziness are common at this time.

At other times in the grieving process it is normal to experience a wide range of emotional and physical reactions. Common reactions include:

Emotions and Feelings Physical, Behavioral & Cognitive  Sadness, yearning, depressed mood  Changes in sleep or appetite  Loneliness  Exaggerated startle response  Helplessness & loss of control  Fatigue and/or loss of motivation  Guilt, shame, remorse  Increased physical illnesses  Fearfulness, panic, anxiety  Social withdrawal or isolation  Apathy  Preoccupation with the loss  Poor concentration

Secondary Trauma (Vicarious Trauma) What is Secondary Trauma?  When individuals become emotionally drained from hearing about and being exposed to the pain and trauma of other people around them

Who can experience it?  Anyone who receives any type of indirect exposure to a traumatic event (e.g., watching news reports)

What are possible signs of experiencing Secondary Trauma?  Anger · difficulty concentrating · anxiety · depression · sadness · low self-esteem · emotional exhaustion · trouble making decisions · difficulty remembering things fatigue · headaches or body aches · changes in sleep habits · changes in eating habits · increase in addictive behaviors · withdrawing from others

Counseling Services Center How can someone reduce its effects?  Talking with others 524 W. 59th Street, L.68.NB NY, NY 10019  Reach out to friends and family members 212.237.8111  Come to the Counseling Services Center [email protected]