Anniversary Reaction To Trauma
An "anniversary reaction" is a specifically timed, emotionally triggered episode during which a person experiences a distressing traumatic response. Usually, the date of a traumatic event is the catalyst for an anniversary reaction. Death of a significant other, combat experiences, horrific events commonly evoke anniversary reactions. Research indicates that the majority of anniversary reactions are associated with the loss of another's life. There is a continuum of responses that are possible during an anniversary reaction:
No Response - The day may come and go and you may not have any reaction what-so-ever.
Normalization/Closure - The anniversary may mark the end of a grieving period, allowing you to put closure on your experience.
Intensification Symptoms that may have receded to a lower level may become more intense during the anniversary time. Intrusive thoughts might become more persistent. Visual flashbacks may become more intense.
Reactivation - Issues that you thought you had dealt with may resurface during an anniversary reaction. This is not an indication of "failure" or a "relapse" in your recovery. Anniversary reactions are part of the healing process. They are to be expected, and they will most likely be short-term.
What To Expect: Specific Reactions
For Law Enforcement
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Physical Modalities: Law enforcement personnel may experience vivid sensory memories of the event during an anniversary reaction. These symptoms include sounds, smells, images, and tactile sensations. Individuals may become generally irritable and may have difficulty sleeping.
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Shattered Assumptions: Beliefs about the safety of the world and the faith in one's ability to protect oneself are challenged by traumatic events. Anniversary dates are constant reminders of how close we came to disaster.
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Shattered Comfort Zones: Critical incidents tend to be most traumatic when they cross into our comfort zones, places in our world that are supposed to be safe. Our schools, our places of worship, our homes. Trauma can shatter these comfort zones, making all places feel unsafe.
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Cross-Over Trauma: Cross-over trauma occurs when an individual personalizes other's traumatic situation. "What if that were my kid/spouse?" is a common question in this instance. If demographics between the victim and a loved one are similar, the potential for cross-over trauma increases.
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Second Guessing: Replaying the event over and over and questioning every decision may increase during an anniversary reaction.
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Survivor Guilt: When people die in traumatic events, survivors are often struck with the randomness of the outcome "why did I get to live while others died?"
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Avoidance: Anniversary dates might bring with them a resurgence in press coverage and other constant reminders of the event. Some may chose to attempt to avoid all reminders in an attempt to try to minimize emotional triggering.
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Emotional Numbness: "Emotional numbness" is the entire absence of feeling. Given that the day had profound meaning in your life, it is normal to expect some emotion.
For The Family
Family members may experience Vicarious Trauma in response to another's anniversary reaction. In essence, a vicarious trauma reaction results from knowledge about a traumatizing event experienced by a significant other. This reaction is the stress resulting from helping or wanting to help a traumatized or suffering person. Vicarious trauma is a collection of symptoms including nightmares, anxiety, and unwanted thoughts. Family and supportive loved ones suffering from vicarious trauma often feel a sense of horror, fear or helplessness. The effects of secondary exposure to trauma can also be cumulative as repeated exposure reinforces gradually changing beliefs about oneself and the world.
"Significant others" of law enforcement personnel impacted by trauma may become very aware of changes in their partner's behavior around the anniversary of the trauma. Sometimes law enforcement personnel downplay emotional reactions, but partners may still pick up on behavior or emotional changes around critical times of the year.
Anniversary reactions for children in law enforcement families may also occur. Children may have vivid memories of the day their parent's lives were forever impacted. In general, children often process their reactions to the event indirectly through their behavior, rather than talking about their thoughts and feelings. Initially, children may respond to the anniversary of a traumatic event by engaging in agitated or disorganized behavior. Children may attempt to resolve the painful emotions related to the memory of the traumatic event through play. If a certain aspect of the trauma is really bothering them, they may repeat this theme over and over again in their drawings or in stories they develop with their toys. Children also tend to express their discomfort through physical symptoms such as stomachaches or headaches, rather than state that they are upset by the event. Children may experience terrifying nightmares that do not necessarily seem to relate to the trauma.
What To Do
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Talk About It.
Or write about it. Don't let the emotions and thoughts bottle up inside you. You may need to revisit issues you thought you resolved.
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Educate yourself.
There are many excellent self-help books on the market today which describe the course and treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (see back of pamphlet for suggestions).
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Understand that healing comes in stages over time.
After a traumatic event, your life may never go back to the way it was. Anniversary reactions are part of that process. Understand that you are not "starting all over" in your recovery process. Many of your assumptions about the world have been destroyed, and developing a new set of beliefs will take time. Don't expect to just "snap out of it."
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Get support.
Talk about your experience and consequent feelings with supportive friends and family members. If there were others involved in the traumatic experience with you, it may help to keep in contact to process the event. Many trauma-specific support groups may be offered in your community. Consider counseling if symptoms persist.
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Empower yourself.
After the turmoil and intense emotional processing has past, many people find they can build strength from the knowledge they have gained from the trauma. Some people volunteer to help other trauma survivors. Others write about and publish their experience. Some pursue legal avenues for compensation.
Additional Readings
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Herman, J. L. (1992) Trauma and Recovery: The Aftermath of Violence - from Domestic Abuse to Political Terror. Basic Books
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Janoff-Bulman, R. (1992) Shattered Assumptions: Towards a New Psychology of Trauma. The Free Press: New York.
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Matsakis, A. (1992). I Can't Get Over It: A Handbook for Trauma Survivors. New Harbinger Publications: Oakland, CA.
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Slover, C. & Tasci, D. (1999). Trauma Recovery Handbook. Lakewood, CO: Nicoletti-Flater Publication.
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Terr, L.(1990) Too Scared to Cry. New York: Harper Collins [Book about children's response to trauma]
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