Sometimes, even after you try most of these things, you still might not be able to get back to your regular routines. You might need help from a counselor if, after several weeks or so, you:

• Suffer so much or for so long that you don’t think you can stand it.
• Can’t think clearly or do your school work.
• Have a hard time helping your family.
• Are more likely to cause yourself injury or disease by:
• Drinking or smoking.
• Using street drugs.
• Using too much medicine.
• Being careless on skateboards, rollerblades, bikes, etc.
• Threatening, hurting, or fighting people.
• Have eating or sleeping problems.
• Feel like hurting yourself or others.

Lots of people are able to work through painful feelings. Most of the time they recover in weeks or months. Uncomfortable feelings and reactions
tend to fade and disappear. Some of the more common reactions are:

• Shock, numbness, and disbelief.
• Having a hard time thinking clearly or
  focusing on school, friends, and family.
• Eating too much or too little.
• Having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep and having bad dreams or nightmares.
• Feeling sad, mad, or afraid.
• Crying more easily or wanting to cry.
• Feeling grouchy, uneasy, worried, or moody.
• Feeling bad that they are okay while others are not.
• Feeling helpless.
• Wanting to be alone a lot, or not wanting to be alone at all.

These are common reactions. They may go away for a while and then return when something reminds you of the disaster. Some people also may have stomachaches, headaches, skin rashes, more allergic reactions, more colds, or a run-down feeling.