Places or situations you once felt secure in may now feel threatening and be anxiety-provoking. Consequently, people may feel as though any situation or place is potentially dangerous. Feeling unsafe: After a traumatic event, our assumptions about the world being a safe and secure place are understandably shattered.Following a traumatic event, your body's alarm system is going to be more sensitive in an attempt to protect you from future traumatic events. They are preparing us to flee, freeze, or to fight. Fear and anxiety tell us that there is some kind of danger present, and all the bodily sensations that go along with fear and anxiety are essentially designed to help us respond to that danger. This is again part of your body's natural protection system. Hyperarousal: Just as you are going to likely be more on-guard, you are also likely going to feel more keyed-up and on edge following a traumatic event.

This natural safety mechanism is going to be more sensitive following a traumatic event. This is actually a very protective symptom as your body is attempting to keep you safe by making you more aware of potential sources of threat and danger. Hypervigilance: It is also very natural to feel more on-guard and aware of your surroundings after a traumatic event.

This is especially likely to occur when you encounter something (for example, a person, place, or image) that reminds you of the traumatic event.

Intrusive thoughts and memories: After a traumatic event, it is common to experience some intrusive thoughts and memories of the traumatic event.

Signs of serious head trauma