Trauma is anything that overwhelms our ability to cope. When we get support for a traumatic event such as a car accident, we should see distress eventually be reduced.
If you ask most people, they know that trauma can be caused by violence or accidents but they may not also know that trauma can be caused by emotional impacts. In the case of many violent acts and emotional traumas, a survivor may not receive the support that they needed.
Other experiences that may be traumatic include:
Physical, sexual, and emotional abuse
Childhood neglect
Living with a family member with mental health or substance use disorders
Sudden, unexplained separation from a loved one
Poverty
Racism, discrimination, and oppression
Violence in the community, war, or terrorism
(Learn more about the personal and societal impacts https://www.traumainformedcare.chcs.org/what-is-trauma/)
It’s important to note that our responses to stress in life vary widely, and other circumstances like poor health, childbirth and more can also contribute to trauma. It is less important to ask yourself if this is a trauma, and more important to ask if you need support.
Emotional signs of trauma include:
sadness
anger
denial
fear
shame
These may lead to:
nightmares
insomnia
difficulty with relationships
emotional outbursts
Physical symptoms are also common, including:
nausea
dizziness
altered sleep patterns
changes in appetite
headaches
gastrointestinal problems
Psychological disorders may also occur as a response to trauma. These include:
PTSD
depression
anxiety
dissociative disorders
substance abuse problems
Some helpful resources:
Books: https://a.co/d/5GG0vbl
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