‘whether it is a last effort or a first step, it is the determined life that lives’

©Lives for Living 2011

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Counselling, Psychotherapy & Hypnotherapy

Private Practice, Bolton, Greater Manchester

Lives for Living

. What is trauma?

The psychiatric definition of "trauma" is "an event outside normal human experience." Trauma generally leaves you feeling powerless, helpless, paralysed. It tends to be sudden and overwhelming; it "owns" you. You cannot think clearly during and after a severe trauma; at the same time, you are forced to focus your consciousness in an attempt to deal. One author defines trauma as "any sudden and potentially life-threatening event."

This refers to one-time traumatic events, but most of it applies to prolonged, repeated trauma as well.
 

Some instances of one-time trauma.

• natural disasters (earthquake, flood, hurricane, etc)
• rape
• assault
• muggings
• robbery
• accidents (automobile, airplane, train, etc)
• fires
• 3. Some instances of prolonged trauma.
• physical or sexual abuse as a child or spouse
• war
• life in a prison camp
• life as a refugee
• hostage situations
• life in a concentration camp
• life in some religious cults

What are the immediate effects of single-instance trauma?

Emotional

• Shock, including numbed emotions, questioning of perceptions, memory disturbances
• Denial, which helps reduce terror, helplessness, and fear of dying or being abandoned to manageable levels
• Confusion and disorientation
• Numbness
• Panic
• Weeping
• Extreme anxiety and insecurity
• Inflexibility
• Dissociation, feelings of unreality
• Cognitive
• Disbelief, another protective device
• Disorientation and confusion
• Difficulty thinking and concentrating
• Unwanted thoughts -- traumatic memories may intrude on everyday living and in dreams, leaving you feeling out of control.
• Perceptual problems
• The world may seem unsafe, unsteady, unpredictable, and unfair
• Traumatic memories -- intense, clear, vivid images
• Forgetfulness
• Hyperarousal
• Trouble sleeping
• Trouble concentrating
• Heightened vigilance
• Easily startling
• Being wary
• Sudden tears or anger or panic
• Increased alertness and anxiety
• Body
• Gastrointestinal symptoms
• Headaches
• Allergy symptoms
• Menstrual problems

The inevitable review

Trauma survivors spend a lot of time thinking about what they could have done differently. Truth is, they couldn't have done it differently -- the body takes over. And the important thing is not what you did -- it's that you survived.

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