Anniversary Reactions
One year following a traumatic event can cause people to experience feelings of distress, and memories of that event. This reaction is quite normal, and often triggers the emotions one may have felt the day of the event. This is known as “Anniversary Reaction.”
People may have a wide range of reactions to the anniversary of a traumatic event. They may include:
- Anxiety
- Panic attacks
- Fears associated with locations or activities
- Sadness
- Guilt or shame
- Irritability
- Nervousness
It is typical people will tend to feel better after a week or two after the events anniversary. However, if you find yourself experiencing any of these feelings, especially after a few weeks of the anniversary, you consider finding a qualified mental health counselor, or similar, to support your healing.
To access the 24 hour crisis line, please call: 503.988.4888
You can also find a wide range of information on the Multnomah County website, for both insured and non-insured community members.
