Dr. Tariq Jagnarine
Family Medicine, Endocrinology/Diabetes
Psychological trauma is a response to an event that a person finds highly stressful. Examples include being in a war zone, a natural disaster, illness, or an accident. Trauma can cause a wide range of physical and emotional symptoms.
Not everyone who experiences a stressful event would develop trauma. There are also various types of trauma. Some people would develop symptoms that resolve after a few weeks, while others would have more long-term effects. With treatment, people can address the root cause of the trauma, and find constructive ways to manage their symptoms.
What is trauma?
Addressing the root cause of trauma can be an effective way to manage both physical and emotional symptoms. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), trauma is “an emotional response to a terrible event, like an accident, rape, or natural disaster.”
However, a person may experience trauma as a response to any event they find physically or emotionally threatening or harmful.
A traumatised person may feel overwhelmed, helpless, shocked, or have difficulty processing their experiences. Trauma can also cause physical symptoms. Trauma can have long-term effects on a person’s well-being. If symptoms persist and do not decrease in severity, it can be an indication that the trauma has developed into a mental health disorder called post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
There are several types of trauma, including:
• Acute trauma: This results from a single stressful or dangerous event.
• Chronic trauma: This results from repeated and prolonged exposure to highly stressful events. Examples include cases of child abuse, bullying, or domestic violence.
• Complex trauma: This results from exposure to multiple traumatic events.
Secondary trauma, or vicarious trauma, is another form of trauma. With this form of trauma, a person develops trauma symptoms from being in close contact with someone who has experienced a traumatic event.
Family members, mental health professionals, and others who care for those who have experienced a traumatic event are at risk of vicarious trauma. The symptoms often mirror those of PTSD.
Symptoms
The symptoms of trauma range from mild to severe.
Emotional and psychological responses
A person who has experienced trauma may feel:
• Denial
• Anger
• Fear
• Sadness
• Shame
• Confusion
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Numbness
• Guilt
• Hopelessness
• Irritability
• Difficulty concentrating
They may have emotional outbursts, find it difficult to cope with how they feel, or withdraw from others. Flashbacks, wherein a person relives the traumatic event in their mind, are common; as are nightmares.
Physical responses
Along with an emotional reaction, trauma can cause physical symptoms such as:
• Headaches
• Digestive symptoms
• Fatigue
• Racing heart
• Sweating
• Feeling jumpy
Sometimes a person would also experience hyperarousal, or when someone feels as though they are in a constant state of alertness. This may make it difficult to sleep.
Individuals may also go on to develop other mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, and substance abuse problems.
Traumatic experiences
Some research estimates that 60 to 75% of people experience a traumatic event at some point. The charity Mind in the United Kingdom lists the following as potential causes of trauma:
• Bullying
• Harassment
• Physical, psychological, sexual abuse
• Sexual assault
• Traffic collisions
• Childbirth
• Life-threatening illnesses
• Sudden loss of a loved one
• Being attacked
• Being kidnapped
• Acts of terrorism
• Natural disasters
• War
Traumatic events can be isolated, or repeated ongoing events. A person can also experience trauma after witnessing something traumatic happening to someone else.
People have different reactions to traumatic events. For example, those who live through the same natural disaster can respond very differently, despite experiencing the same event.
Treatment
Several treatments can help people with trauma cope with their symptoms and improve their quality of life.
• Therapy
Therapy is a first-line treatment for trauma. Ideally, an individual would work with a trauma-informed or trauma-focused therapist.
o Cognitive-behavioural therapy
o Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing
o Somatic therapies
• Somatic experiencing: This approach involves a therapist helping a person to relive traumatic memories in a safe space.
• Sensorimotor psychotherapy: This type of therapy combines psychotherapy with body-based techniques to turn traumatic memories into sources of strength.
• Acupoint stimulation: This involves a practitioner applying pressure to specific points on the body, which induces a state of relaxation.
• Touch therapies: Other touch therapies include Reiki, healing touch, and therapeutic touch therapy.
Medications
Medication alone cannot cure trauma or PTSD, but it can help a person manage symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances. A person should talk to their doctor about their options.
o Self-care
Practising self-care can help individuals to cope with the emotional, psychological, and physical symptoms of trauma. Examples of self-care for trauma include:
o Exercise
Trauma can activate the body’s fight-or-flight response. Exercise may help mitigate some of these effects.
o Mindfulness
Mindful breathing and other mindfulness-based exercises can ground people in the present, which can stop them from reliving the traumatic event.
o Connection with others
Withdrawal from others is a common symptom of trauma. However, connecting with friends and family is important. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, staying in contact with people can help to prevent trauma from becoming PTSD.
o A balanced lifestyle
A person with trauma may find it difficult to relax or sleep well. However, sleep, relaxation, and diet all play a role in mental health. If possible, a person should try to:
• Sleep for 7–9 hours a night
• Eat a balanced diet
• Avoid alcohol and drugs
• Relieve stress with mindful or enjoyable activities
o Support
If necessary, people can ask for support from others. This includes talking to trusted loved ones, or joining a support group for trauma survivors.
WHEN TO SEEK HELP
People who experience persistent or severe symptoms of trauma should seek help from a mental health professional. It is especially important to seek help if the trauma symptoms interfere with daily functioning, or relationships with others. Even those with mild symptoms can feel better once they talk to someone.
Most people will experience a traumatic event at some point in their lives. Some may experience symptoms of shock and distress, and most would recover within a short period.
A minority would experience more long-term traumatic effects, such as the development of PTSD. Therapy and self-care can help those with persistent trauma symptoms to manage these symptoms and improve their quality of life.
