Identifying and Coping With Emotional Shock

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentCoping

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Symptoms

Causes

Diagnosis

Treatment

Coping

Emotional shock is a reaction that you may have to an unexpected event ortraumatic incidentthat upsets you and makes it hard for you to function.

When faced with an intense stressor, you may experience a rush of overwhelming emotions that you aren‘t ready to understand or respond to, which can cause your body to go into a state of shock,saysAimee Daramus, PsyD, a licensed clinical psychologist.

Emotional shock is often part of thefight or flight response, a normal but painful way your brain reacts to something it sees as a threat to your well-being,according to Dr. Daramus. When your brain is unable to process the situation, it freezes in an effort to protect your mind and body.

This article explores the causes and symptoms of emotional shock, as well as treatment options and coping strategies.

Get Help NowWe’ve tried, tested, and written unbiased reviews of thebest online therapy programsincluding Talkspace, BetterHelp, and ReGain. Find out which option is the best for you.

Get Help Now

We’ve tried, tested, and written unbiased reviews of thebest online therapy programsincluding Talkspace, BetterHelp, and ReGain. Find out which option is the best for you.

Signs of an Emotional Breakdown

Symptoms of Emotional Shock

Aimee Daramus, PsyDYou might feel numb, or cry, or rage. You might just sit there, emotionally unable to move. You might dissociate, and feel like nothing around you is real, or that it‘s actually happening to someone else.

Aimee Daramus, PsyD

You might feel numb, or cry, or rage. You might just sit there, emotionally unable to move. You might dissociate, and feel like nothing around you is real, or that it‘s actually happening to someone else.

According to Dr. Daramus, the symptoms of emotional shock can include:

It’s important to note that everyone experiences emotional shock differently. Two people may face the exact same experience and have completely different emotional reactions. This is because experiences are extremely subjective; they are less indicative of the actual event and more indicative of the way a person interprets them.

Causes of Emotional Shock

You may experience emotional shock in the wake of an event that suddenly changes your world. It could be an event that affects you or those close to you, such as your parents, spouse, children, or close friends.

Some of the causes of emotional shock can include:

“Sometimes people may even experience emotional shock about something good, like a dream job or a marriage proposal, if the emotions are too big to handle at the moment. Most of the time, though, it‘s a response to scary or intensely painful events,” says Dr. Daramus.

The Best Online Trauma Therapy, Tried and Tested

Diagnosing Emotional Shock

People experience emotional shock for varying amounts of time. Depending on its severity and the circumstances, it may dissipate on its own within minutes or may persist for longer. It can lead toacute stress disorder (ASD)orpost-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

If emotional shock persists or causes discomfort, it can be helpful to visit a licensed mental health professional or medical professional. They can assess your symptoms, conduct any physical or psychological tests required, diagnose your condition, evaluate its severity, refer you to a specialist if necessary, and develop a treatment plan for you.

Coping With PTSD

Treatment for Emotional Shock

Emotional shock in the wake of a traumatic event can be treated with therapy, particularly if you develop PTSD. Some of the forms of therapy that cantreat PTSDinclude:

How to Heal From Trauma

We Tried 100+ Therapy Services and Apps—And These Are the 8 Best for Online CBT

Coping With Emotional Shock

Aimee Daramus, PsyDIf you or a loved one are experiencing emotional shock, the most important thing is to restore a sense of safety and comfort.

If you or a loved one are experiencing emotional shock, the most important thing is to restore a sense of safety and comfort.

Dr. Daramus suggests some strategies that can help youcopewith emotional shock and restore your sense of equilibrium:

When Oversharing Turns into Trauma Dumping, and How to Stop

A Word From Verywell

People may experienceemotionalshock in the wake of a traumatic event, such as an accident, the loss of a job, or the death of a loved one. Everyone reacts to traumatic events differently. Depending on the circumstances, you may feel completely numb or you may experience panic, anger, or disassociation. You may also experience physical symptoms such as a rapid heartbeat, breathlessness, or tightness in your throat.

9 Healthy Coping Skills for PTSD

5 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Stinesen Kollberg K, Wilderäng U, Thorsteinsdottir T, et al.How badly did it hit? Self-assessed emotional shock upon prostate cancer diagnosis and psychological well-being: a follow-up at 3, 12, and 24 months after surgery.Acta Oncol. 2017;56(7):984-990. doi:10.1080/0284186X.2017.1300320Giotakos O.Neurobiology of emotional trauma.Psychiatriki. 2020;31(2):162-171. doi:10.22365/jpsych.2020.312.162American Psychological Association.Trauma and shock.Fujiwara T, Mizuki R, Miki T, Chemtob C.Association between facial expression and PTSD symptoms among young children exposed to the Great East Japan Earthquake: a pilot study.Front Psychol. 2015;0. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01534American Psychological Association.Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for treatment of PTSD.

5 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Stinesen Kollberg K, Wilderäng U, Thorsteinsdottir T, et al.How badly did it hit? Self-assessed emotional shock upon prostate cancer diagnosis and psychological well-being: a follow-up at 3, 12, and 24 months after surgery.Acta Oncol. 2017;56(7):984-990. doi:10.1080/0284186X.2017.1300320Giotakos O.Neurobiology of emotional trauma.Psychiatriki. 2020;31(2):162-171. doi:10.22365/jpsych.2020.312.162American Psychological Association.Trauma and shock.Fujiwara T, Mizuki R, Miki T, Chemtob C.Association between facial expression and PTSD symptoms among young children exposed to the Great East Japan Earthquake: a pilot study.Front Psychol. 2015;0. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01534American Psychological Association.Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for treatment of PTSD.

Stinesen Kollberg K, Wilderäng U, Thorsteinsdottir T, et al.How badly did it hit? Self-assessed emotional shock upon prostate cancer diagnosis and psychological well-being: a follow-up at 3, 12, and 24 months after surgery.Acta Oncol. 2017;56(7):984-990. doi:10.1080/0284186X.2017.1300320Giotakos O.Neurobiology of emotional trauma.Psychiatriki. 2020;31(2):162-171. doi:10.22365/jpsych.2020.312.162American Psychological Association.Trauma and shock.Fujiwara T, Mizuki R, Miki T, Chemtob C.Association between facial expression and PTSD symptoms among young children exposed to the Great East Japan Earthquake: a pilot study.Front Psychol. 2015;0. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01534American Psychological Association.Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for treatment of PTSD.

Giotakos O.Neurobiology of emotional trauma.Psychiatriki. 2020;31(2):162-171. doi:10.22365/jpsych.2020.312.162

American Psychological Association.Trauma and shock.

Fujiwara T, Mizuki R, Miki T, Chemtob C.Association between facial expression and PTSD symptoms among young children exposed to the Great East Japan Earthquake: a pilot study.Front Psychol. 2015;0. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01534

American Psychological Association.Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for treatment of PTSD.

Meet Our Review Board

Share Feedback

Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit

What is your feedback?

Get Help Now#

Symptoms of Emotional Shock#

Aimee Daramus, PsyD#

Causes of Emotional Shock#

Diagnosing Emotional Shock#

Treatment for Emotional Shock#

Coping With Emotional Shock#

A Word From Verywell#