There is no right way to respond to tragic events and the loss of someone you love and care about.  Reactions vary from person to person, sometimes happening right after the event or weeks or even months later.

Here are examples of normal reactions to stressful and tragic events.  One important thing to notice is that not all reactions are negative or unpleasant:

Tragic events and the loss of someone you love and care about can be very stressful. The normal flow of life can be disrupted. But we can keep ourselves strong and get through by taking a few simple actions: