Trauma & PTSD
Emotional trauma results from experiencing extraordinarily stressful events that shatter your sense of security and leave you feeling vulnerable and unsafe. Trauma often involves threats to your life or safety but can include any situation that leaves you feeling overwhelmed and isolated.
It is your subjective emotional experience, not the objective event, that determines trauma. The more frightened and helpless you feel, the more likely you are to be traumatized. Trauma and PTSD can also affect people who witness the event or are continually exposed to traumatic events, such as through media.
Trauma and PTSD can result from:
- One-time events (accidents, injuries, violent attacks)
- Ongoing stress (living in crime-ridden areas, battling life-threatening illness, bullying, domestic violence, childhood neglect)
- Overlooked causes (surgery, sudden death of someone, relationship breakdowns, humiliating experiences)
Common emotional symptoms of trauma include shock, denial, confusion, anger, anxiety, guilt, sadness, and feeling disconnected. Physical symptoms can include muscle tension, aches, insomnia, fatigue, agitation, and a racing heartbeat.
Symptoms can last from days to months, gradually decreasing as you process the event. However, if symptoms persist or worsen, it may indicate Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PTSD occurs when your nervous system gets “stuck” in psychological shock, preventing you from processing your emotions. Symptoms include re-experiencing the event through flashbacks, avoiding reminders of the trauma, feeling numb, hyperarousal, and mood changes.
Both trauma and PTSD are treatable. Working with a psychologist can help you process the event, reduce distressing symptoms, and learn to cope with future triggers. Therapy involves resolving unpleasant feelings and memories, soothing your nervous system, and learning to regulate strong emotions. It requires dedication, can often feel very challenging at first, but helps you learn new coping skills to regain a fulfilling life.
Tips for Reducing Distress associated with Trauma
- Exercise: Burns off adrenaline and helps repair your nervous system.
- Deep Breathing/Mindfulness: Helps calm and ground yourself, reducing the fight-or-flight response.
- Don’t Isolate: Staying connected with others aids in healing.
- Focus on Health: A healthy body enhances your ability to cope with trauma. Get plenty of sleep, avoid alcohol and drugs, eat healthily, and reduce stress.
If you are affected by trauma or PTSD, or know someone who has, the Psychologists at the Rosy Room can help. To learn more or book an appointment, contact us at 07 3818 2076 or email info@therosyroom.com.
