Trauma

Trauma can be defined as any single, multiple, or ongoing distressing or disturbing experiences. Even if you were not directly involved in a distressing situation, you could experience trauma if you have witnessed or heard about such a situation. Hearing repeatedly about traumatic situations can lead to what is called vicarious trauma. Trauma can have harmful effects from generation to generation, as in cases of intergenerational trauma.

 

Anyone, of all ages, from diverse cultures, socioeconomic statuses, gender identities, sexual orientations, and religious beliefs, can experience trauma. A traumatic experience is not always a striking or notable event, such as a war or a natural disaster. Trauma is not always something that happened, but it is also something that did not happen, as in cases of neglect, including emotional neglect. It is essential to understand that the nature of an experience does not necessarily determine its traumatic nature; rather, it is how the person experienced it. Minor experiences like criticism or teasing can also cause trauma and have a significant impact on a person's life, especially when they occur during childhood. Another important aspect is the support the person receives in the face of adversity. Whether it is from parents, social networks, family, friends, the community, or other sources, the support received will make a considerable difference in how the traumatic experience impacts the person's life.

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A person can be deeply affected by trauma without being aware of it. A person may even identify with symptoms related to trauma. For example, a person may often be angry and believe that this is a permanent character trait. A person may identify as "bad" because of behaviours that are destructive to themselves and others, without knowing that the cause of these behaviours may be the effects of trauma. A person may feel uncomfortable in social situations, think they are shy or introverted, but they may still suffer from social anxiety, which may have been caused by a traumatic situation such as bullying. Trauma is not about weakness or an inability to cope with difficulties. Trauma can be described as unprocessed painful memories that are stored in the brain and cause detrimental effects in one's life.

Trauma can lead to :

Emotional 

• Sadness

• Anger, irritability

• Shame

• Guilt

• Feeling hopeless, helpless

• Feeling overwhelmed, feeling confused

• Fear

• Denial

• Lack of self-confidence, self-esteem

 

Psychological

• Depression

• Anxiety disorders

• PTSD

• Dissociative disorders

• Other mental disorders

 

Behavioural 

• Substance abuse

• Alcohol abuse

• Suicidal behaviour

• Compulsive sexual behaviour such as compulsive masturbation, persistent use of pornography, multiple sexual partners

• Self-destructive behaviours

•  Narcissistic behaviours

• Violence, aggression and crimes

 

Physical

• Affect the immune system

• Increases the risk of heart disease

• Increases the risk if cancer

• Blood pressure

• Nausea

• Headaches

• Nightmares

• Insomnia

• Fatigue

• Muscle tension

 

Neurobiological

Studies have shown that trauma can affect brain development and lead to changes in the brain. When affected by trauma, some parts of the brain can be physically affected and the volume of some parts of the brain can increase or decrease. Trauma can alter the limbic system, the prefontal cortex, and the reptilian brain.

 

Cognitive​

• Difficulty concentrating

• Difficulty making decisions

•  Difficulty paying attention

• Difficulty reasoning

• Memory problems, particularly about the traumatic event

 

Relationnel and social

• ​Emotional distancing

• Difficulty establishing and maintaining healthy relationships

• Financial difficulties, poverty, and homelessness

• School dropout, difficulty holding down a job, building a career,

• Parenting difficulties

Spiritual

•  Feeling that life has no meaning and purpose

• Question one's purpose

• Question one's values ​​and beliefs

 

It is crucial to understand that the effects of trauma are not voluntary. They are natural responses of self-protection and neurobiological responses to deeply painful life experiences.It is also essential to remember that just as the brain can help us survive difficult times, the brain can also remodel itself—this is what is described as brain plasticity. The brain plasticity can allow a person to recover from trauma and thus make positive changes in their lives.​

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