Traumatic Shock: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

What Is Trauma?

Trauma refers to the emotional, psychological, or physical stress resulting from a distressing experience that limits the ability to cope. Traumatic events can include a wide range of situations, such as accidents, natural disasters, abuse, loss of a loved one, or combat exposure. These experiences can have lasting effects, causing disrupted emotional well-being that may require therapeutic intervention to heal.

What Is Traumatic Shock?

Traumatic shock, also known as emotional trauma, is an intense emotional response that occurs following a traumatic event. Symptoms often present as fear, dissociation, and emotional numbness.¹ Traumatic shock is a defense mechanism that allows an individual to survive, but an excessive or overactive response can lead to significant distress and long-term struggles.

Unaddressed traumatic shock can result in various issues, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety disorders. Providing immediate support and professional intervention for individuals experiencing traumatic shock is essential for reducing the risk of psychological distress.

Physiology Behind Traumatic Shock

The brain and body react to traumatic events by triggering the “flight-or-fight” response. The amygdala releases adrenaline and cortisol to prepare the body for danger. Simultaneously, the prefrontal cortex, responsible for reasoning and judgment, becomes less active, resulting in numbness and detachment. These physiological changes allow individuals to flee from or defend themselves against threats.²

Traumatic Shock Stages

The experience of traumatic shock occurs in four phases, each of which shows how symptoms unfold and escalate throughout the experience. Individuals may move back and forth between these stages as a part of the healing process.³

The stages of traumatic shock include:

1. Impact stage: The impact is the initial reaction to the traumatic event, often characterized by shock, disbelief, and heightened emotions. During this stage, individuals may feel overwhelmed and have difficulty understanding what happened.
2. Denial and numbing stage: In this stage, individuals may attempt to distance themselves from the traumatic experience through denial or emotional numbing. This behavior is a coping mechanism to shield themselves from the full emotional impact of the trauma.
3. Intrusive thoughts and emotions stage: This stage involves the emergence of intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, and intense emotions related to the trauma. Individuals may experience nightmares, anxiety, and a continuous replay of the traumatic event in their minds.
4. Integration and recovery stage: In the final stage, individuals work toward blending the traumatic experience into their life stories by seeking support and processing the event.

Symptoms of Traumatic Shock

The symptoms of traumatic shock can be both physical and emotional, often resulting in heightened anxiety, increased heart rate, and muscle tension. Early identification allows individuals and caregivers to address the psychological impact of trauma, ultimately helping for a smoother and more effective recovery.

Physical Symptoms of Traumatic Shock

Following a traumatic event, the body can experience distressing physical symptoms, such as an increased heart rate, rapid breathing, heightened blood pressure, and muscle tension. These are natural reactions associated with fight-or-flight, but trauma can disrupt and prolong the natural cycle.

Physical symptoms of traumatic shock may include:⁴

• Tremors or shaking
• Disorientation or confusion
• Increased heart rate
• Rapid breathing
• Increased blood pressure
• Muscle tension
• Sweating
• Nausea or upset stomach
• Dizziness or lightheadedness

Emotional Symptoms of Traumatic Shock

Traumatic shock often includes a wide range of emotional responses, such as fear, anger, guilt, and sadness. Everyone responds to trauma differently depending on their history and understanding of the event. Some may experience symptoms briefly following the event, while others struggle for weeks, months, or years afterward.

Emotional symptoms of traumatic shock may include:⁴

• Numbness
• Disbelief
• Heightened anxiety
• Fear
• Guilt
• Anger
• Sadness
• Flashbacks
• Hopelessness or despair
• Grief
• Shame
• Difficulty understanding or feeling connected to reality

Behavioral & Cognitive Symptoms of Traumatic Shock

Traumatic events can elicit behavioral and cognitive changes that affect daily life and functioning. Additionally, trauma can alter the brain and impair thought processes, memory, and concentration. In turn, survivors may struggle with remembering details of the event, making healthy decisions, maintaining relationships, or controlling impulses.

Behavioral and cognitive responses to traumatic shock may include: ⁴

• Confusion
• Denial
• Social withdrawal and isolation
• Risk-taking behaviors
• Changes in eating and sleeping patterns
• Avoidance of situations that remind them of the trauma
• Aggression and emotional outbursts
• Self-destructive behaviors
• Self-harm
• Substance use and abuse
• Difficulty maintaining relationships
• Memory problems
• Difficulty concentrating
• Difficulty making decisions
• Difficulty with problem-solving and planning
• Decrease in ability to cope with stress

Types of Traumatic Shock

Traumatic shock can occur in various forms, each impacting different aspects of a person. For example, physical shock affects blood circulation, while secondary shock results in a delayed response to trauma. However, these types can occur together, meaning people can have symptoms of one or more simultaneously. The type of event, the individual, and age can influence how someone experiences traumatic shock.

The types of traumatic shock include:

• Physical shock: Physical shock results from severe injuries, leading to a lack of blood circulation to vital organs.
• Emotional shock: Emotional shock involves intense emotional and psychological distress after a traumatic event.
• Psychological shock: This type of traumatic shock includes the cognitive and mental disturbances following trauma.
• Secondary shock: Secondary shock is the delayed emotional response after a traumatic event.
• Dissociative shock: Dissociative shock is the disconnection survivors may feel from their thoughts, feelings, or surroundings as a response to trauma.
• Developmental shock: Trauma experienced during critical stages of psychological development (i.e., childhood trauma) can affect future emotional well-being.
• Vicarious shock: This response occurs after witnessing or hearing about a traumatic event happening to others.
• Cumulative shock: Cumulative shock is the result of repeated exposure to traumatic events over time.
• Cardiogenic shock: Cardiogenic shock is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet bodily needs. This reaction often follows a severe heart attack or other cardiac issues, leading to decreased organ function and potentially fatal complications.

Causes of Traumatic Shock

Traumatic shock can result from any traumatic event. Symptoms can occur immediately after an event, like a car crash, or gradually develop from prolonged exposure to distressing situations, such as ongoing abuse. Regardless, the emotional and psychological impact is significant.

Events that can cause traumatic shock include:

• Child abuse
• Car accident
• Bullying
• Divorce
• Job loss
• Natural disasters
• Physical assault
• Combat
• Witnessing violence
• Life-threatening medical diagnoses
• Sexual assault
• Workplace accidents
• Loss of a loved one (especially if it is sudden or violent)

Risk factors that increase the likelihood of traumatic shock include:⁵

• Previous trauma
• Lack of support
• Intensity of traumatic event
• Closeness to trauma
• Ongoing exposure to trauma
• Preexisting mental health conditions
• High-stress environments
• Poor coping skills
• Genetics
• Substance abuse

Diagnosing Traumatic Shock

Healthcare professionals assess and diagnose traumatic shock by carefully evaluating the symptoms and circumstances surrounding the traumatic event. The initial assessment involves a physical examination to rule out any immediate physical injuries or life-threatening conditions. A detailed discussion with the patient can help the physician understand the nature of trauma and identify emotional and cognitive symptoms.

Alternative disorders an individual may be diagnosed with include:

• Acute stress disorder (ASD): Someone may receive an ASD diagnosis within the first few weeks after the event if they experience intrusive thoughts, nightmares, dissociation, and severe anxiety.
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): Symptoms lasting longer than a month after a traumatic event may lead to a PTSD diagnosis.
• Dissociative disorders: Displaying extreme dissociative symptoms, such as memory lapses and identity disruptions, can indicate an underlying dissociative disorder like dissociative identity disorder (DID).

Traumatic Shock Treatments

Timely intervention is crucial for preventing long-term impacts when treating traumatic shock. Treatment options vary depending on the severity and nature of the symptoms. However, emotional support, a safe environment, and calming techniques can provide relief in the aftermath of trauma. In the long term, psychotherapy, medication, and support groups are valuable options to address the impact of traumatic shock and empower individuals to heal.

Effective long-term treatments for traumatic shock include:

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT for PTSD helps individuals identify and reframe negative thought patterns related to their trauma. This approach provides practical tools to manage symptoms like flashbacks and anxiety, ultimately empowering survivors to regain control over their emotions.
• Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT): DBT for PTSD can be beneficial for individuals with traumatic shock by focusing on emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. Individuals learn practical skills to manage intense emotions, reduce self-destructive behaviors, and improve interpersonal relationships.
• Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR): EMDR for PTSD encourages the processing and integration of distressing memories. This therapy involves bilateral stimulation, possibly reducing the emotional charge of traumatic memories to alleviate distress and promote recovery.
• Medication: PTSD medication can help alleviate severe symptoms like extreme anxiety or sleep disturbances. Antidepressants or anti-anxiety drugs can regulate mood, reduce anxiety, and improve sleep patterns, meaning individuals can better engage in therapy and work on their recovery.
• Support groups: Support groups provide individuals with traumatic shock a sense of community and shared understanding. In these groups, people openly discuss their experiences, learn from others, and receive emotional support, fostering a sense of belonging and reducing feelings of isolation. Support groups can be online or in-person.
• Mindfulness and relaxation techniques: Mindfulness and relaxation techniques are valuable for individuals with traumatic shock as they provide tools to manage anxiety, stress, and intrusive thoughts. By practicing mindfulness, survivors can stay grounded in the present moment, reducing the emotional intensity associated with their trauma.
• Expressive art therapy: Expressive art therapy offers a non-verbal means of processing experiences and emotions. Engaging in creative expression through art, music, or dance can help trauma survivors explore and communicate their feelings, potentially leading to emotional healing.

When to Seek Professional Help for Traumatic Shock

Seeking professional help for ongoing trauma symptoms after experiencing traumatic shock is important when emotional and physical impacts interfere with daily life and well-being. Reach out for help if you experience constant distress, anxiety, or depression. You can start by asking your primary care physician or loved ones for referrals.

The first step to finding the right therapist is to search for a provider specializing in trauma-informed therapy or PTSD. An online therapist directory can filter results based on location, insurance, specialties, and treatment modalities. You can read their profiles, check their credentials, and ensure they are licensed to practice. Schedule an initial consultation or phone call to assess their compatibility with your needs and ask any questions about their approach and experience with trauma.