What is Trauma
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Date 06.11.2022
The word trauma can mean something different depending on the context of which it is used
Physical trauma is an injury to the body, whereas psychological trauma is a complex emotional response to a difficult event or series of difficult events.
Our brains and bodies are very good at remembering how to deal with stress, and some amount of stress is good for us. Good levels of stress may include going for a hike where there may be some discomfort but the stress endured on a hike is entirely manageable and not overwhelming. This trains our brain and body to be better at hiking, by way of adaptation. We regularly stress our brains and bodies by playing sports, exercising, socialising and doing our work and daily activities such as cooking, cleaning or even brushing our teeth!
We live through difficult experiences which can often affect how and who we are in the present which can influence our future.
The Past
Trauma can show up in many different ways and we may not realise that the way we act may be influenced by a traumatic experience we had in our past. Difficult experiences we have as a child can influence how we are as adults. We develop ways to manage difficult times but often these are unhelpful and can impact our quality of life.
These difficult experiences in our early development are known as Adverse Childhood Experiences or ACEs. These experiences can have a severe impact on physical and mental health and opportunities for the person. Difficult past experiences influence how people navigate their lives.
Signs of Trauma
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Shame
- Social isolation
- Numbness
- Terror
- Anger or irritability
- Disrupted sleep and eating habits
Individuals may have increased sensitivity to certain things such as people, places, media and may constantly feel on edge. This vigilance is a saved reaction that was helpful when the body was in danger but persists to maintain safety, when it is often not needed. Retraumatisation can occur when exposed to something that reminds the individual of the event.
The Present
The perception of trauma is individual
What one individual might find traumatic, others may not. There is always individual variation, it is important to keep this in mind.
Traumatic experiences
- Physical, sexual or emotional abuse
- Poverty
- Racism, oppression and discrimination
- War, violence or terrorism
- Abandonment and neglect
- Genital mutilation
- Human trafficking
- Witnessing something horrific
- Vicarious and secondary trauma
The Future
People that experience complex trauma have poorer health and social outcomes and experience inequality. People may also be unable to plan ahead and think to the future because they are struggling to cope and manage their current lives.
Looking after yourself
Trauma is difficult to talk about and its hard to be there for someone who is having a difficult time. Indirect trauma can occur when we are exposed to difficult or disurbing images and stories second-hand.
People with no past trauma who work with traumatised individuals are likely to become traumatised as a result of their work (Knight, 2010). It’s really important to recognise when you might be feeling overwhelmed to ensure that you are well.
