Major Trauma Psychology Service

Common early reactions to trauma

We never expect to witness, or be part of, a sudden accident, incident, or major disaster. In the days and weeks that follow, you may experience unfamiliar emotions and physical reactions due to shock. These can include acute stress symptoms, such as repeated and distressing flashbacks to the event, disturbing dreams or nightmares, low mood, or heightened anxiety.

These symptoms can be intense, confusing, and frightening. We can help you understand these acute stress reactions and find ways to manage these whilst you are in hospital. It is important to remember that after a traumatic event, it is normal to experience these early reactions to trauma and they usually fade with time.

However, some people may develop longer-term reactions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (opens in a new tab) or depression (opens in a new tab). If your symptoms last for more than one month after the incident, it is important to seek further advice. The good news is that persistent symptoms can be treated with evidence based talking therapies and/or medication. You may also want to watch the below video on understanding acute stress.

See our service leaflet (opens in a new tab) to find out more on common reactions to trauma.

How we can help

While you're in hospital (inpatients)

While you are in hospital, we can visit you at your bedside. We provide information about psychological reactions to trauma and advice about how to manage any psychological symptoms you may be having.

The first meeting will involve finding out about you and how you are currently managing. We will also ask about any mental health difficulties or treatment you may have had in the past. We understand that it can be difficult to answer some of these questions, especially in a ward environment. Any information you feel comfortable sharing helps us understand how we can best support you. At the end of this meeting, we will provide you with a summary of our conversation and discuss what support we can offer. This might involve seeing you again in the hospital, providing you with signposting information, or arranging a follow-up appointment in our outpatient clinic after you have been discharged. If you are already under an existing mental health service, we will aim to link you back with this team in the first instance.

Your first inpatient psychology appointment will usually last for around an hour. Subsequent appointments are likely to be shorter. The duration of all appointments will depend on how you are feeling. We can take breaks or meet later if needed.

If you would like to speak to us during your admission, please ask your trauma nurse or ward staff to make a referral to the Adult Liaison Psychiatry Team.

Non-urgent advice

Key staff

Dr Zoe Martin - Principal Clinical Psychologist in Major Trauma

Dr Amanda Burren - Principal Clinical Psychologist in Major Trauma

Dr Julia Gillard - Principal Clinical Psychologist in Major Trauma

Dr David Christmas - Consultant Psychiatrist, Adult Liaison Psychiatry

Useful resources

Below are a number of links to organisations that support individuals affected by major trauma. You may also want to see our leaflet for more information here.

• AfterTrauma (opens in a new tab)
• GoodThinking (opens in a new tab)
• Victim Support (opens in a new tab)
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) - NHS (opens in a new tab)
• National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines for PTSD (opens in a new tab)
• Mind - Understanding PTSD (opens in a new tab)
• Royal College of Psychiatrists PTSD leaflet (opens in a new tab)
• NHS trauma leaflet (opens in a new tab)