In the immediate aftermath of October 7, many survivors appeared remarkably composed. They evacuated calmly, answered questions clearly, helped others. Then, weeks later, they fell apart.
This phenomenon, known as delayed trauma response, is one of the most misunderstood aspects of crisis psychology. Mental Health First Aid Israel trains its volunteers to recognize that trauma doesn't follow a timetable.
The brain has a remarkable capacity to "freeze" overwhelming experiences for later processing. This allows survivors to function during acute danger. But when safety returns—when the adrenaline fades—the trauma thaws.
Symptoms may include flashbacks, sleep disturbances, irritability, numbness, or sudden emotional outbursts. These are not signs of weakness; they are signs of a mind working overtime to process the unprocessable.
MHFA Israel teaches communities to watch for these delayed reactions and to meet them with the same compassion offered in the immediate aftermath.
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