UNDERSTANDING TRAUMA & PTSD

Life is not blissful, and neither can it be tamed. Personal or professional interactions sometimes lead to unpleasant situations. Usually, the moment it is over, it is an open and shut case. This is not the case with trauma. When it is over, the mind and body continue reliving it. If unaware, we are only left with a shadow of our formal self, or eventually isolated.

-One in 8 US children witness physical abuse between their parents. A larger number of them are themselves subjected to severe physical abuse through their primary caregiver(s). The largest number of people are subjected to unwanted sexual abuse, which leaves them completely confused, disoriented, and enraged.

Trauma is extremely common. It happens to everyone and leaves us completely overwhelmed. Nothing can be done to stave the inevitable.

Do you recall having overreacted at any time? Were you surprised by the intensity of your reaction? Well, you were not being dramatic, you were rather expressing the first sign of trauma. It is not uncommon for people suffering from emotional trauma to overreact defensively or have feelings of shame and self-blame.

What is trauma?

It is being subjected to very stressful, frightening, or distressing situations beyond one’s control.

Some persons who experience a highly stressful event may later have trouble returning to a normal state of mind. In some cases, it may make them more vulnerable to developing a mental health disorder related to the experience. This trauma disorder is known as PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder).

Who is most exposed to trauma and PTSD?

The most exposed are the populations at risk are,

i. Trauma and substance abuse. There is a strong connection between traumatic stress and substance abuse that has long-term implications for children and families.

ii. Economic Stress.

iii. Homelessness.

iv. Intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities.

v. Military and veteran families.

vi. Marginalized youth such as LGBTQ, etc.

When do we get trauma or PTSD?

There is no age to experience trauma. However the most vulnerable to the effects of trauma are young children in early infancy (0–5) and in middle childhood (6–11), when their brains are still in their early formative years. Or, in old age (60 and above) when their tolerance and immunity are at their lowest ebb. Then they are closely associated with PTSD.

How many types of traumas and PTSDs are there?

There are 3 types of traumas,

i. Acute trauma, resulting from a single incident.

ii. Chronic trauma, being subjected to repeated and prolonged abuse, such as domestic violence.

iii. Complex trauma, being exposed to varied and multiple traumatic events, often of an invasive and interpersonal nature.

The are 5 types of PTSD,

i. Normal Stress Response: a response that occurs before PTSD begins.

ii. Acute Stress Disorder.

iii. Uncomplicated PTSD.

iv. Complex PTSD.

v. Comorbid PTSD.

What are the symptoms of trauma and PTSD?

Initial reactions to trauma can include exhaustion, confusion, sadness, anxiety, agitation, numbness, dissociation, physical arousal, and a blunted affect. Most responses are normal in that they affect most survivors and are socially acceptable, psychologically effective, and self-limited.

The primary symptoms of PTSD are flashbacks, hallucinations, and nightmares. They also include agitation, nervousness, anxiety, problems with concentration or thinking, memory, headaches, depression and crying spells, suicidal thoughts (or attempts), and mood swings. Avoidance behaviors such as avoiding places or people connected to the event are commonplace.

Ruminating over what happened is paralyzing and leads to self-pity, lethargy, and procrastination. It becomes difficult to relax and release the experience.

How are trauma and PTSD treated?

The principal approaches are,

i. Acknowledging the event in all its details.

ii. Seeking moral and professional support.

iii. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

iv. Redirecting attention to one’s personal health, both physical and emotional.

v. Avoiding addictions through substance, alcohol, or other.

vi. Establish an energetic routine.

vii. Engage in sports, pastimes, creative hobbies, music and dance, and reading.

viii. Practice relaxation therapies of mindfulness, meditation, yoga, or Qigong consistently.

ix. Journaling or, gratitude writing.

x. Supplements and nutrients.

xi. Maintaining a pet can be a great resource for emotional connection.

How long do the effects of trauma and PTSD last, and what are the eventual repercussions?

Ever since people’s responses to overwhelming experiences have been systematically explored and documented, researchers have noted that trauma is stored in somatic memory, and it is expressed through the biological response to stress. The sympathetic nervous system experiences trauma or anxiety in the same somatic responsive way, regardless of the impact of the event.

Trauma occurs because of the way the human brain is wired. We are programmed to remember things that will be useful for our survival, and help us remain safe in the future. When something bad, painful, or frightful happens, our brain keeps us safe and ensures that it does not happen again. People affected, tend to feel unsafe in their bodies and in their relationships with others. Regaining a sense of safety may take days to weeks with acutely traumatized individuals, or even months to years with those who have experienced ongoing or chronic abuse. If one doesn’t return to normal 3–4 weeks later, they should seek professional assistance.

Trauma causes difficulties in daily life. Some people misuse alcohol, and drugs, or resort to self-harm to cope with difficult memories and emotions. It can affect the ability to be calm and to respond flexibly in a lucid way. Women with a traumatic childhood, or having been subjected to extreme traumatic events, tend to cry more often than normal. The traumatic event cannot be undone. Though it may be diminished in the mind, it will never go away. But with effective evidence-based treatment, symptoms can be managed appropriately and can remain dormant for years, or even decades.

If not treated appropriately, trauma can lead to psychological distress and recurring physical symptoms like headaches and fatigue. It changes the way one thinks, feels, and interacts with others. It is difficult to form attachments which leads to regression, depression, and self-destruction. This may even include the loss of previously acquired skills or professional aptitudes.

Events that occur during childhood leave the worst traces on mental, behavioral, and physical health with chronic problems. There are significant differences in the impact of childhood trauma on IQ across the 3 groups mentioned above. Exposure to HCS was associated with a nearly 5-point reduction in IQ. It can also “freeze” emotional responses at the age it was experienced. One tends to feel and act emotionally younger than their actual age, when older. This is known as age regression.

In univariate analyses, all 5 forms of childhood trauma: witnessing violence, physical neglect, emotional abuse, physical abuse, and/or sexual abuse, statistically demonstrate significant relationships with the various aggressive behaviors reported in adulthood.

Serious injuries that are long-term or permanent in nature are considered “catastrophic injuries,” and they are the most difficult to recover from. Examples of catastrophic injuries include, but are not limited to, the following: Traumatic brain injuries. Spinal cord injuries.

While trauma is a known trigger for ADHD, it is not the only cause of the condition. A dual diagnosis is often the best way to treat a patient with ADHD since it allows them to be treated using a combination of medications and psychotherapy, which are often more effective when used together.

It has been proven that trauma alters the survival brain definitively, and not the cognitive brain. People have difficulty experiencing pleasure or joy. Their immunity declines causing long-lasting physical problems.

The following are the most important points to consider:

-The reaction to such an event, ensuring one does not remain incapacitated.

-Procuring a close person to confide in and seek consolation.

This is an informative and not an exhaustive article.

Sammy RNAJ — sammy.rnaj.writer@gmail.com — WhatsApp +96170499352