What is Psychological Trauma
Trauma can (and does) happen to anyone of us at any time. Simply explained it is a normal reaction to an abnormal experience.
The effects of psychological trauma can be overwhelming and have long lasting consequences, disrupting and disabling people’s lives.
Typical events that can cause Psychological Trauma Injury and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) include:
- Road Traffic Accident
- Accident at Work
- Physical and Verbal Assaults
- Sexual Abuse
- Rape
- Violence
- Fire, Plane or Rail Crash
- Combat and Terrorism Experience
- Domestic Violence
- Workplace and Domestic Bullying
- Heart Attack, Serious Illness, Surgery, Falls, even Fever and Poisoning
Trauma is an every day occurrence and effects ordinary people’s lives. It can limit their ability to work, maintain relationships and stay healthy.
The symptoms of trauma can occur very soon after the incident or much later on, not only affecting the victim, but also, family, friends and work colleagues.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can develop from trauma symptoms and this psychological injury can last a lifetime if left untreated.
GP’s, family, friends and helping agencies often miss, or do not know what the symptoms of trauma are to look out for.
The good news is that trauma injury and PTSD can be cured given the right treatment.
Whilst psychological trauma injury has been recognised as occurring after a single traumatic experience such as fighting in a war zone or being the victim of an accident, disaster or act of violence, it is also known that it can result from an accumulation of stressful, threatening events.
Examples include:
- Repeated exposure to horrific scenes at accidents or fires such as those endured by the emergency services
- Repeated involvement in dealing with serious crime
- Repeated violations such as verbal abuse, physical abuse emotional abuse and sexual abuse
- Regular intrusion and violation both physical and psychological such as bullying, stalking, harassment, domestic violence