Which symptoms characterize the psychological response stage 1?

• A. Memory problems
• B. Shock, disbelief, denial
• C. Detachment, numbness
• D. Anger, fear, grief

Answer: (B)

Stage 1 in the psychological response to trauma is dominated by shock, disbelief, and often denial. This immediate reaction acts as a protective shield, helping the person gently begin to absorb the reality of what happened. Denial may pop up as a quick way to push back the full impact while the mind starts to cope. While numbness or detachment can occur early, they tend to follow the initial surge of shock as the person processes the experience. Memory problems can happen with acute stress, but they aren’t the defining feature of this first phase. Anger, fear, and grief usually emerge as processing continues beyond the initial moment.