Everyone copes with disasters differently

    The Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management recognizes that everyone copes with disasters and traumatic events differently. Psychological trauma is an emotionally painful, shocking, stressful and sometimes life-threatening experience. It may or may not involve physical injuries and can result from the impact of distressing events. These situations may also be natural disasters such as a tornado or earthquake.
    National Institute of Mental Health researchers explored the factors that help people cope and the factors that increase their risk for problems following the event. Here’s what they found:
    There are many different responses to potentially traumatic events. People may have an intense response immediately following a traumatic event, or the response may occur several weeks or months later.
    These responses can include feeling anxious, sad or angry; trouble concentrating and sleeping; and continually thinking about what happened.

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