People react differently to things that are stressful, and nearly everyone is able to work through problems and pain. Most people recover (in weeks or months) from the following kinds of natural reactions to a terrible event:

• Shock, numbness and disbelief.
• Difficulty concentrating on school work, your job, friends, or family.
• Eating too much or too little.
• Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. Nightmares.
• Thinking too much about what happened.
• Being afraid for your safety and the safety of your family, friends, police, and firefighters.
• Feeling sad about the people who were injured or died.
• Having upsetting thoughts or pictures in your mind of what happened. They can pop into your head, or come when you’re reminded of the painful event.
• Anger, bad temper, and not trusting others. You might argue and get into fights.
• Feeling guilty or helpless.
• Feeling restless-kind of uneasy or worried.
• Headaches, stomachaches, skin rashes, body pains. and more severe allergic reactions.

It takes strength to ask for help. Asking for help may sometimes feel uncomfortable, but seeking the assistance you need can help you deal with things better. Start by talking to one of the following:

• A parent or someone else who takes care of you.
• Your family doctor.
• A pastoral care counselor.
• A school counselor or mental health professional.
• Someone at your community health center or the local mental health clinic.