Trauma
Trauma is defined by the American Psychological Association as "an emotional experience of a traumatic event such as an incident, assault, or major catastrophe" (APA).
l Trauma is a
common problem.
l Trauma is a
common problem. It occurs when an individual is exposed to an emotionally
distressing or life-threatening episode or set of events that have long-term
negative consequences for their functioning.
l Psychological,
physical, social, emotional, and/or spiritual well-being are all aspects to
consider.
l In Greek, living with a family
member who suffers from a mental disease or is addicted to anything is referred
to as "trauma...Although the
Greeks exclusively used the term to describe physical injuries, trauma is today
used to describe emotional wounds as well. We now know that even after physical
injuries have healed, a traumatic event can leave psychological symptoms.
l Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is the label given to the psychological reaction to emotional trauma.
Causes
The following are examples of potentially traumatic experiences:
l Physical, sexual, and emotional abuse all seem to be different types of abuse.
l Neglect in childhood
l Separation from a loved one without warning
l Poverty
l Racism, bigotry, and oppression are all forms of oppression.
l Community violence, conflict, or terrorism are all examples of terrorism.
l Living with a family member who has a mental illness or is addicted to opiates is a difficult situation.
l Depression, anxiety, flashbacks, and recurring nightmares are common symptoms after a very stressful experience, such as a wartime conflict, a natural disaster, or sexual or physical abuse.
Types of trauma
There are
various different types of trauma, including:
l Acute trauma is caused by a single traumatic or stressful incident.
l Chronic trauma is caused by frequent and extended exposure to extremely stressful
situations. Child abuse, bullying, and domestic violence are just a few examples.
Exposure to several stressful incidents leads to complex trauma.
l Secondary trauma, often known as vicarious trauma, is another type of trauma. This type of trauma occurs when a person comes into close contact with someone who has been through a terrible event.
Symptoms:
Trauma can cause a wide range of symptoms, from minor to severe. A person's reaction to a traumatic incident is influenced by a number of factors, including:
Exposure to traumatic events in the
past is one of their distinguishing qualities.
l The occurrence
of additional mental health issues
l Exposure to
traumatic occurrences in the past
l The event or
events' nature and attributes
l Their history
and techniques for dealing with emotions
l Emotional and
psychiatric reactions
A traumatized individual may experience the following emotions:
l Denial
l Anger
l Fear
l Sadness
l Shame
l confusion
l anxiety
l Depression
l Numbness
l Guilt
l Hopelessness
l Irritability
l Concentration problems
l They may have emotional outbursts, struggle to manage their emotions, or withdraw from others. Nightmares and flashbacks, in which a person mentally relives a traumatic event, are both common.
Childhood trauma is just that
The term conjures up images of childlike wonder, pleasure, hope, and awe. Childhood is a period when you feel safe, cherished, and protected. Knowing that you and your family are safe and secure gives you the confidence to develop secure and safe connections later in life. This is the most accurate method of describing and experiencing childhood. On the other hand, the reality of many children's experiences and their long-term implications is far from idealized.
Childhood Trauma and Adult Reactions
Abuse or
neglect as a child can have a substantial impact on a person's quality of life
as an adult. Emotional health, physical health, mental health, and
personal relationships are just a few of the areas where it could have an
impact.
l Emotional
well-being:
l Survivors of childhood abuse often feel anxiety, worry, embarrassment, guilt, helplessness, desperation, grief, sadness, and rage.
n Mental Health:
Childhood abuse or trauma has been related to greater rates of anxiety, despair, suicide and self-harm, PTSD, drug and alcohol abuse, and relationship problems.
n Physical
Fitness
Children who have been subjected to abuse or trauma may develop a heightened stress response. This can affect their capacity to control their emotions, cause sleep problems, lower their immunological function, and increase their risk of a variety of physical disorders as they grow older.
The impact of childhood trauma on stability:
Childhood trauma erodes a child's sense of self and stability, eroding self-worth and often persisting into adulthood. Symptoms of childhood trauma include feelings of shame and guilt, feeling detached and unable to relate to others, issues controlling emotions, heightened anxiety and despair, and wrath. Consider the scenario of a youngster experiencing significant trauma that affects their feelings of safety and security.To get the equilibrium relationship back together again and reestablish trust, you'll have to put in a lot of effort.
n
Attachment Disorders in Youth:
Adult attachment issues can develop in children who have been abused by their caregivers or parents. These can include the following:
n Attachment that
is dismissive and avoidant:
When a caregiver dismisses or rejects a child's needs, this type of attachment develops. To prevent being rejected again when the youngster grows older, he or she may choose to be ultra-independent.
n Attachment:
Fearful-Avoidant:
It's natural for a child who has been subjected to abuse and neglect to be afraid of intimacy and close connections. Adults with a fear of avoidant attachment are frequently distrustful, have a hard time discussing emotions, and may appear alienated from their spouse.
n Attachment to
an Anxious-Preoccupied Person:
This adult may appear clingy or needy and will frequently seek approval from others in relationships. They will never feel completely safe as a result of a childhood spent with parents who were inconsistent in their emotional stability. When a youngster is loved and then repeatedly rejected, the child begins to question their place in the world and needs constant reinforcement.
What can I do to help myself? How can I cope with a traumatic experience?
n Safety:
The first and most critical step toward rehabilitation and support is to ensure your physical, emotional, and psychological safety.
n External or
Physical Security:
It's critical
to think about the safety of your current living situation. This could include
the physical security of where you're staying, the neighbourhood, your capacity
to get help if you need it, and your relationships with those around you.
Consider what steps you might be able to take to ensure your personal safety if you don't feel safe right now. Hot-lines for crisis support, local support groups, and community organizations can often provide useful information about available support choices, such as short-term housing or financial assistance.
n Internal/Psychological/Emotional:
The term "safety" refers to more than just physical security. It's also crucial to feel emotionally secure. Positive self-affirmations (e.g., telling yourself, "I can do this"), as well as "grounding" activities, can be effective tactics. Viewing yourself in a place where you feel physically and emotionally safe (e.g., a fond memory or a location), as well as high self (e.g., advising yourself, "I can do this") and "grounding" activities can be effective strategies (For example, clamping a rubber band around your wrist, spraying cold water in your face, or seeing and labeling five items around you).
n Disclosing:
You are solely
responsible for your own personal experiences. You have the option of keeping
them private or sharing them with those you trust, such as family members,
friends, loved ones, or professionals. However, for many survivors, sharing
their personal stories can be a crucial step toward healing.
Disclosure is the act of telling your personal experiences to someone you trust and feel secure with. A good first step would be to tell a close friend, family member, or someone from a support institution, care centre, or telephone counselling helpline. By sharing, you can talk about what you want to do next with the person.
n Giving
Information to a Government Official:
If you tell an authority figure (teacher, director, police officer, social worker, or psychologist) about your encounter, they may be legally obligated to take action against the perpetrator. They may need to verify your storey in order to do so, so they may ask a lot of detailed questions that may seem intrusive or disturbing. You may feel fear, embarrassment, or rage, or you may relive the event(s) (as if it were happening again).Remember that these individuals must follow proper processes in order to pursue the perpetrator and safeguard you. The investigators have been trained to work with people who have gone through comparable ordeals to you.
n Surviving Day
by Day:
While every day may feel like a battle, there are a number of things you can do to help you deal.
n Sleep:
Sleep is critical to your overall health. While many trauma survivors struggle to sleep, there are several things you can do to help. Moderate physical activity should be done a couple hours before bedtime. Try to have a small meal around two hours before bedtime, and avoid big meals and caffeine-containing liquids. If at all possible, avoid discussing sensitive topics right before bedtime. If at all feasible, go to bed at around the same time, in the same area, and in a peaceful atmosphere.
n Eating
Routines:
Consuming a well-balanced diet on a regular basis is advantageous to your health. Low-fat, low-sugar, and easy-to-digest foods are beneficial to your health. Keep an eye on your weight. Maintain a regular meal schedule during the day, and avoid eating late at night or right before bedtime. Limit your alcohol intake because it can impair your judgment and reactions, as well as negatively impact your emotions and interpersonal connections.
n Make a Healthy
Routine for Your Day:
Maintain everyday routines such as getting up, going to work, meeting people, sleeping, and engaging in recreational activities. Engage regularly in moderate physical activity and eat regular meals. Make a list of activities that bring you joy and do at least one of them every day
n Self-Care:
Taking care of yourself is beneficial to your health and well-being. If you have any health concerns, talk to your doctor, avoid using drugs, and restrict your alcohol and tobacco usage.
n The Use of
Social Media:
Determine who you can trust and discuss your problems and troubles with them. Seek their guidance and keep in touch with them on a frequent basis. Meet new and fascinating individuals with an open mind.
n Journal/Expressive
Writing
Consider keeping a journal of happy occurrences and interactions with individuals to help you become more aware of the various resources available to you. Feelings can be expressed and organized through writing.
Treatment
People who have experienced trauma can benefit from a variety of treatments that can help them cope with their symptoms and enhance their quality of life.
n Therapy
Therapy is the first line of defence against trauma. Individuals should ideally work with a therapist who is trauma-informed or trauma-focused.
The following are some of the types of therapy that a traumatized person could benefit from:
l CBT (cognitive
behavioral therapy) is a treatment approach.
l CBT (cognitive
behavioral therapy) assists people in altering their thought processes in order
to impact their actions and emotions.
l Cognitive-behavioral
therapy has been shown to be the most effective treatment for PTSD (CBT).
l Desensitization
and reprocessing of eye movements:
l Another
prominent trauma therapy is eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, or
EMDR.
l During EMDR,
people recall specific traumatic events for a brief period of time while the
therapist regulates their eye movements. The purpose of
EMDR is to help people process and integrate traumatic events.
l EMDR has been shown to be an effective treatment for PTSD in several randomized controlled trials.
n Therapies for mental and physical health
Some therapists utilize somatic or body-based therapy to assist the mind and body in processing trauma. According to a review of the literature published in the Australian Psychotherapy and Counseling Journal, body-based therapies can help a wide spectrum of patients.
These treatments include:
u Sensorimotor
psychotherapy
Sensorimotor
psychotherapy is a type of psychotherapy that focuses on the senses.
This style of therapy uses a combination of techniques to help people turn unpleasant experiences into sources of strength.
u Body-based
therapies are combined with psychotherapy:
Acupoint
stimulation is a technique in which acupoints are stimulated.
To promote relaxation, a practitioner applies pressure to certain parts of the body.
u Stylus
therapies entail
Other touch
therapies comprise Reiki, healing touch, and therapeutic touch treatment.
There is currently less evidence to support the efficacy of somatic therapies than there is for CBT and EMDR. More data on these strategies, according to the researchers, will aid in determining how they function.
l Medications
Medication cannot alleviate trauma or PTSD on its own, but it can help people control signs including panic, depression, and sleep issues. A person's alternatives should be discussed with their doctor.