The following are common reactions for people exposed to a traumatic event:

• Survivors often feel an over-whelming sense of sadness, helplessness, and lack hope and optimism in their lives.

• Emotional difficulties can make it hard for survivors to function from day-to-day. Survivors often experience changes in job performance, a well as problems at home and in other relationships.

• Survivors may cope with their pain in ways that are harmful to themselves and to others. For instance, they may drink too much alcohol or become overly aggressive.

• Survivors are often troubled by the emotional difficulties facing family and friends also touched by the traumatic event.