Overview
Resources
Types
Symptoms
Associated Disorders
Causes
Treatment and Recovery
Trauma can arise from a wide range of issues from mental abuse to bullying to medical trauma and physical and sexual abuse and more. These issues can have lasting effects and increase the likelihood of an individual experiencing issues or developing mental health and attachment disorders in adolescence and adulthood.
Trauma Resources
- The National Child Traumatic Stress Network
- Child Mind Institute Resources
- Reactive Attachment Disorder Diagnosis and Treatment
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
- Trauma Center Resources from JRI
- National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma and Mental Health Resources
- Child Welfare Trauma Resources
- Defining Post- Traumatic Stress Disorder-New Song Recovery
- Emotional and Psychological Trauma- Help Guide
- Trauma- Psych Guides
Types of Trauma
- Bullying,
- Community Violence,
- Complex Trauma,
- Disasters Induced Trauma,
- Early Childhood Trauma,
- Intimate Partner Violence,
- Medical Trauma,
- Physical Abuse,
- Refugee Trauma,
- Sexual Abuse,
- Violence due to Terrorism,
- Traumatic Greif.
Emotional & Psychological Symptoms of Trauma
- Shock,
- Denial, or disbelief Confusion,
- Difficulty concentrating
- Anger,
- Irritability,
- Mood swings
- Anxiety
- Fear
- Guilt,
- Shame,
- Self-blame
- Withdrawing from others
- Feeling sad or hopeless
- Feeling disconnected or numb
- Source Helpguide
Physical symptoms of Trauma:
- Insomnia or nightmares
- Fatigue
- Being startled easily
- Difficulty concentrating
- Racing heartbeat
- Edginess and agitation
- Aches and pains
- Muscle tension
- Children may experience:
- Regression,
- Thinking the trauma was thier fault,
- Sleep disorders
- Feeling helpless,
- Struggling to form meaningful attachment to caregivers.
- Source Helpguide
Causes of Childhood Trauma
- Unstable or unsafe environment,
- Separation from a parent,
- Serious illness,
- Intrusive medical procedures,
- Sexual Abuse
- Physical Abuse
- Domestic abuse,
- Domestic violence,
- Neglect.
- Source-Help Guide
Causes of Adult Trauma
- Rape
- Domestic violence
- Natural disasters
- Severe illness or injury
- The death of a loved one
- Witnessing an act of violence
- Especially in an active war zone
- Source Psych Guides
- Especially in an active war zone
Treatment and Recovery
Trauma Recovery Tips by Help Guide
- Frequent exercise,
- Don’t isolate,
- Ask for support,
- Join a support group,
- Mindful breathing,
- Staying grounded,
- Allow emotions,
- Get plenty of sleep,
- Avoid alcohol and drugs,
- Eat a well balanced diet,
- Reduce stress.
When to Seek Professional Help-
- If you are having trouble functioning at home or work
- If you are suffering from severe fear, anxiety, or depression
- If you are unable to form close, satisfying relationships
- If you are experiencing terrifying memories, nightmares, or flashbacks
- If you are avoiding more and more things that remind you of the trauma
- If you are emotionally numb and disconnected from others
- If you are using alcohol or drugs to feel better
- Source Help Guide
Treatments for Trauma Patients
- Somatic experiencing,
- Cognitive behavior Therapy (CBT),
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR),
- Brain Mapping
- Source- Help Guide
If you are supporting a loved one with Trauma:
- Be patient and understanding,
- Offer practical support,
- Don’t pressure them to talk but be available,
- Help them socialize and relax,
- Don’t take the trauma symptoms personally.
- Source- Help Guide