Those who go through a catastrophic life experience often feel permanently changed by the impact of what has happened. They become numb and shut off from those around them, grief or guilt may constantly weigh them down, or they may be haunted by terrifying memories or dreams. Traumatic stress, including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), can result if a person s coping resources have been completely overwhelmed. To overcome the effects of trauma, it s necessary to change how one reacts to it and to begin to see events in a different light.