TRAUMA & ABUSE
1. What is it?
Sometimes events occur in people's lives that are shocking and life threatening, for example, natural disasters, crime, rape, witnessing assault or murder or sexual abuse. In response to the trauma, victims may experience many symptoms. First, they may feel a number of intense emotions such as pain, terror, shame, horror, grief, rage and shock. They may be jumpy, constantly scanning for danger, and easily startled. Second, they may experience shock and protect themselves through denial, disbelief, and dissociation (splitting away from the terrible events as if it didn't happen to them). Third, people who have experienced trauma may re-experience the events again and again against their will. Fourth, regular and disturbing nightmares might occur resulting in sleep deprivation. Finally, people will respond to events that remind them of the trauma with all the feelings as if it were the trauma itself.
2. Why might it develop?
When people experience trauma their sense of security and safety is shattered. In response their bodily processes become unusually heightened in order to be ready to confront danger at all times. At the same time, to emotionally protect themselves they may shut down some of their normal responses to life and other people. This may in turn protect them from becoming overwhelmed and being unable to regulate or control their emotional responses.
3. What is the impact on you and the people around you?
If you are a victim of trauma, you may feel that you and your life will never be the same again. You may have much difficulty trying to trust anyone, even those close to you. Being touched, even in kindness may become aversive. You may want to be left alone. Those around you may be unsure about what to do and when. The best thing they can do is to ask what you want.
4. Some tips on how to handle it.
Here are some suggestions on how to deal with traumatic events:
- Follow your own process. Don't rush to try and 'deal' with what has happened. You need to bring things up in your own time and in your own way.
- When you need to talk, find someone you trust that will listen and validate you and the feelings you have about your experience.
- Seek assistance from a registered psychologist to work through your
experience and your resulting difficulties.