Common reactions to overstress
Overstress means that people live under circumstances that cause a lot of stress. These can be circumstances such as living with the threat of abuse or death, living in refugee camps, living in extreme poverty or need, or having had to flee one’s country. Such overstress always has an effect on people and can interrupt daily life for lengthy or short periods. Yet reactions to overstress can vary a lot from person to person. They depend on the nature of the stress and sadness; the individual’s situation, personality and level of tolerance.
Initial reactions
In the beginning, reactions might include languor, emptiness, a confused sense of time and tension, but also physical reactions such as a rapid heartbeat, palpitations, nausea, and difficulty breathing. Behaviour can become frantic or subdued such that some pace while others sit still as though in a state of paralysis. These reactions are usually short-lived, but may last several days.
When things start to settle down
We then begin to face what has happened to us and the consequences of this, and it is common to experience various emotions. The following reactions are common, but they often point to more prolonged anxiety and psychological turmoil than one might suspect:
Reliving what happened. Memories will often recur again and again in the form of flashbacks or partial scenarios, which are difficult to shut out.
Depression, an empty feeling and thoughts about one’s purpose in life can become pervasive.
Over-reactions and sensitivity to stimuli such as sounds, smells, and tastes reminiscent of what happened. Unpleasant thoughts can then cause disturbed sleep patterns for some people.
Irritation and anger tend to be how we channel our despondency, vulnerability and inner tension, which is often directed towards those closest to us with little provocation.
Self-reproach and guilt, even though there may be no transparent blame, this feeling is inherent in the wishful thinking that we could have done something different or prevented what happened.
Avoiding people can arise from a need to be alone with one’s thoughts or from insecurity and fear of reactions. Similarly, the person concerned may be recoiling from the hefty task of doing everything that’s required to adjust to new circumstances.
Physical tension which leads to strain and physical aches due to prolonged cramps.
It’s important to keep in mind that these are normal reactions which need time and space to find an outlet and run their course.
What can I do?
Don’t escape your own thoughts and feelings. The best way to work through painful emotions and difficult experiences is to talk about them with someone you trust.
Closeness and touch create a sense of security. It’s best to look to close friends and relatives in this situation. But it can also be good to look to more impartial people who are not associated with you, or experts such as doctors, nurses, priests or psychologists.
Don’t dull the pain with alcohol or sedatives. That hampers the normal healing process which is never pain-free. However, it may be necessary to use sleeping tablets for a fixed period for serious sleeping problems. Look after diet, sleep, exercise, hobbies and socialising with others.
This contributes to returning to the normal rhythm of daily life and managing it. Life returns to normal bit by bit and it becomes easier to look ahead.
Don’t escape your own thoughts and feelings. The best way to work through painful emotions and difficult experiences is to talk about them with someone you trust.
Closeness and touch create a sense of security. It’s best to look to close friends and relatives in this situation. But it can also be good to look to more impartial people who are not associated with you, or experts such as doctors, nurses, priests or psychologists.
Don’t dull the pain with alcohol or sedatives. That hampers the normal healing process which is never pain-free. However, it may be necessary to use sleeping tablets for a fixed period for serious sleeping problems. Look after diet, sleep, exercise, hobbies and socialising with others.
This contributes to returning to the normal rhythm of daily life and managing it. Life returns to normal bit by bit and it becomes easier to look ahead.
Children’s reactions
Overstress creates fear, insecurity or other psychological upheaval in children and leads to various emotional reactions and behavioural changes. Parents’ reactions and attitudes have the biggest impact on how children cope with trauma and other difficulties they come up against.
The most common reactions are:
a great need for closeness
depression and boredom
irritability and squabbling
remorse and guilt
fear of accidents or illness
changes in eating and sleeping habits
reversion to an earlier stage of development, e.g. crawling, bed-wetting
physical complaints such as headaches
difficulty concentrating
disrupted sleep
a great need for closeness
depression and boredom
irritability and squabbling
remorse and guilt
fear of accidents or illness
changes in eating and sleeping habits
reversion to an earlier stage of development, e.g. crawling, bed-wetting
physical complaints such as headaches
difficulty concentrating
disrupted sleep
How can I help my child?
Be close and assure the child that s/he is not in any danger; this builds a sense of security.
Be honest and explain things in a way suitable to the age and development of the child. The child’s emotional development is grounded on the information s/he receives.
Provide the child with opportunities to express her/himself through play, drawing or speech.
Try as much as possible to let the child’s daily life settle into a routine. Maintain regular mealtimes, bedtimes, school attendance and recreation.
Allow time for the family to spend together and engage in positive activities to combat fear and memories that cause anxiety.
Be close and assure the child that s/he is not in any danger; this builds a sense of security.
Be honest and explain things in a way suitable to the age and development of the child. The child’s emotional development is grounded on the information s/he receives.
Provide the child with opportunities to express her/himself through play, drawing or speech.
Try as much as possible to let the child’s daily life settle into a routine. Maintain regular mealtimes, bedtimes, school attendance and recreation.
Allow time for the family to spend together and engage in positive activities to combat fear and memories that cause anxiety.
Children are unlike adults in that strong emotional reactions seldom last for long periods at a time. Children can be dejected and despondent for a while and then next thing forget themselves in a fun game. Beware that some reactions do not appear straight away and others can resurface after a long period. Don’t hesitate to seek professional advice and support if you are unsure and the need arises.
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