Trauma is defined as a psychological reaction to a shocking experience. Trauma causes emotional destruction to one's inner self and makes it hard for a person to overcome the pain they have endured as a result of one or many terrifying ordeals. Trauma ultimately takes a tremendous toll on our well-being as humans. Learning how to identify and then properly treat the inner damage will allow us to be content again and maybe even teach us a couple of new lessons. We can explore the topic of trauma by exploring the various causes and types of trauma, the symptoms that help us identify when one is going through a traumatic episode, and the way people go about healing trauma.
To begin with, trauma can be caused by a variety of events. These events can be split into four categories: short-term or one-time events, long-term events, ones we commonly do not consider, or complex trauma. Some short-term or one-time events, also referred to as acute trauma, include an accident, such as a car crash, house fire, or school shooting. Examples of long-term events, also referred to as chronic trauma, include child abandonment, child abuse, sexual or domestic abuse from a significant other or family member, and kidnapping. The most overlooked causes of trauma are divorce, job loss, imprisonment, or even generational trauma. We often do not take into fact the emotional and expensive obligations that are put on a person when going through a divorce. Job loss often comes with feelings of uncertainty about what happens next or difficulty with finding a new job, especially if one is older. Conditions in jails and prisons are often subpar or unsatisfactory, and guards are sometimes known for abusing their power. Living in such vile environments can take a psychological toll on the body, as seen in the story of Kalief Browder. Kalief Browder was only 16 years old when he was arrested for stealing a backpack a crime he did not commit. He ended up staying over three years on Rikers Island, one of the worst prisons in the country, awaiting a trial that never happened. During those three years, he spent around two in solitary confinement and suffered abuse from both officers and other inmates. As a result of the years of pain, he endured he attempted suicide on multiple occasions until he, unfortunately, died after hanging himself from an air conditioning unit out his bedroom window. Generational trauma refers to trauma passed down through generations, most often used when referring to a family. For example, a family may feel uncomfortable when discussing emotions or feelings because to them it is a sign of weakness. We can even dig further into generational trauma and begin to discuss transgenerational trauma. Some examples include extreme poverty, slavery, and war among others. Complex trauma is just a variation of two or more of these events. Through the information above, we see the many ways in which people develop trauma.
To continue, there are a multitude of symptoms that help us identify when one is going through a traumatic episode. These symptoms can be split into two categories: emotional and psychological symptoms and physical symptoms. Emotional and psychological symptoms are indicators that we can not feel, making them cognitive, while physical symptoms are those we can feel. Some examples of emotional and psychological symptoms are shock and denial, difficulty concentrating, mood swings, and guilt to name a few. Anxiety and depression are more severe cases. Physical symptoms involve fatigue, insomnia, muscle tension, and rapid heart rate. Those suffering from trauma can experience any one of these events or a mixture, as well as ones not listed. These symptoms aid doctors in identifying when an individual is suffering from a traumatic experience so they can properly prescribe medication that fits the patient's needs. Symptoms also allow an individual to know when it's time to seek help for themselves. All these symptoms can be used to help those suffering get help as quickly as possible.
As a result of the internal and external long-term pain trauma causes, we as humans naturally seek to find healing. Some of the less extreme healing processes are those we can do on our own. For example, we can exercise or meditate to distract ourselves from the bad experience. When we focus our energy on something else, we remove ourselves from the down feeling trauma causes. Additionally, it is important that we do not isolate ourselves. It is natural to distance yourself from others when going through a hard time, whether you just want to be alone or feel like you're bothering others with your problems. You do not have to bring up your trauma if it is something you are not comfortable with, but it is good to participate in activities, volunteer, or hang out with friends. If you are ready to talk about your trauma, you can look into joining a support group. Support groups can help individuals connect with people going through the same troubles as them decreasing feelings of loneliness. Furthermore, it is good to keep up with one's health. This means getting plenty of sleep, eating a well-balanced diet, and keeping good hygiene. As a result of symptoms such as depression, carrying out these tasks can be difficult, but an individual must try their absolute best to improve their mental and physical health. In more serious cases you can seek help from a professional, such as a psychologist. They may direct you to seek treatments such as eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy or cognitive-behavioral therapy. You must find a way to properly heal or cope with trauma to avoid developing unsafe practices like alcoholism and taking drugs. While they may temporarily divert your attention from the trauma, the long-term effects can worsen depression, stress, and anxiety.
In the final analysis, trauma is caused by experiencing distressing events. We see how trauma affects people's lives by looking at the symptoms it causes and the lengths people will go to try and heal themselves. It is important to remember that your trauma is valid and not compare its severity to others. Seek help from those you are closest to in order to stay in good spirits and if your mental health gets worse it is beneficial you look into professional help.