Trauma

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Psychological trauma occurs as the result of a traumatic event. Traumatic experiences make us question our beliefs about safety and destroy our assumptions of trust. A traumatic event involves an experience or enduring event(s) that completely overwhelm our ability to cope or understand the ideas and emotions involved with that experience. These experiences are so far outside of what we expect that the events provoke reactions that feel strange to us – these reactions may be unusual and disturbing but they are ‘normal’ and expected responses to abnormal events.

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is most commonly used to describe symptoms arising from emotionally traumatic experience(s). However, not everyone who experiences a traumatic event will develop PTSD. If symptoms persist for weeks or months, this is when professional help should be sought. Avoidance is often used to help cope with the trauma, but postponing professional help for a year or more could make the situation much worse.

Symptoms:

Symptoms of trauma can be wide and varied and differ from person to person – a traumatized individual may suffer from one or several of the following symptoms, and the list is not exhaustive.

Upsetting memories such as images, thoughts or flashbacks

Nightmares

Insomnia

Re-experience the trauma mentally and physically

Emotional detatchment (known as dissociation)

Individuals may turn to alcohol and/or drugs

Stress/anxiety disorders

Panic attacks

Anger

Dispair

Depression

Loss of self-esteem

Causes:

Abuse

Violence

The threat of abuse or violence

The witnessing of abuse or violence

Catastophic events (war, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes etc)

Witnessing/being involved in an attack

Accidents (e.g a car crash or explosion)

Further Info & Advice

Effects of Trauma

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This content is provided for general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the advice given by any professional.