What is Trauma?
Trauma is defined as deeply distressed or disturbing experiences. These experiences include going through very frightening events, stressful events and distressing events. Trauma can be categorised into emotional trauma and psychological trauma whereby it affects your emotional wellbeing tremendously or your psychological wellbeing tremendously.
The three types of Traumas
There are three types of traumas namely acute trauma, chronic trauma and complex trauma.
Acute trauma results from experiencing trauma from a single event. The examples of acute traumas are but not limited to; witnessing a hijack, witnessing a car accident, moving to a new province or even changing a school or a job.
Chronic trauma results from repeated and prolonged distressful events such as domestic violence or abuse.
Complex trauma is when you are exposed to continuous, different and multiple traumatic events which you find difficult to escape from. Complex trauma includes but not limited to; childhood abuse or abandonment, ongoing abuse, being a victim of bullying and repeatedly witnessing abuse or violence.
When a person experiences these types of traumas, they might notice that they easily get frightened. People who have experienced trauma also find themselves being on guard for danger so that they can avoid the danger. People who have experienced trauma can also find themselves turning to self- destructive behaviours such as alcohol abuse. Other examples of physical and emotional reactions after a traumatic experience include trouble sleeping, trouble concentrating, being easily irritable, angry outbursts, aggressive behaviour and overwhelming feelings of guilt and shame.
People who have experienced trauma might brush off the thought of going to counselling. They might fear reliving the distressful events they encountered or they might fear being judged. They might even have fear for the change of the unknown because they might be used to living with their traumas. However, there are dangers of not seeing a counsellor after experiencing trauma. It is very critical to reach out for help after experiencing trauma or when a loved one has experienced trauma.
The dangers of not seeing a counsellor after experiencing trauma
There are dangers associated with not seeing a counsellor after experiencing trauma. These dangers include being addicted to the emotional and physical pain that comes with traumatic events because you do not believe or see a way out of the distressful event that happened to you. This can lead you to start turning to destructive behaviours that temporarily help you numb the pain. These destructive behaviours can however have a negative effect or impact in the long run. Psychological wounds do not heal on their own and if you do not see a counsellor these wounds can cause uncomfortable flashbacks that may cause your mind to be a very dark lonely place with no way out or a warzone of “what if, why didn’t I, I could have, I shouldn’t have’. Unresolved trauma can also have negative impacts and effects on your physical and psychological wellbeing. These negative effects that you might experience are excessive sadness, feeling anxious, constant headaches and fatigue.
It is also important to note that trauma does not only happen to adults but children can experience trauma and will also need to go through counselling. It is important to have a very close relationship with your children so that you can know the challenges and difficulties they face throughout their day to day lives. Once you have identified that your child or children have went through distressful events such as the three different mentioned traumas, please reach out for counselling for them. If they do not see a counsellor, their traumas can negatively affect and haunt them in their adulthood.
Good news is seeing a counsellor will help you and equip you with counselling techniques and tools to see a way out of the distressful event that you went through. Counselling will also help you replace the destructive behaviours with constructive positive behaviours such as practicing mindfulness, going out for a jog and journaling your feelings and thoughts. Counsellors are equipped and trained with knowledge and counselling techniques and tools to help you overcome trauma. Counselling is a safe, supportive and confidential space that can help you with your healing journey.
Please never be ashamed to ask for help or seek for help. Your voice matters and it will definitely be heard. Be your own hero by speaking out and getting professional help from counsellor.
“Trauma is personal. It does not disappear if it is not validated. When it is ignored or invalidated the silent screams continue internally and are heard only by the one held captive. When someone enters and hears the screams, healing can begin”. Danielle Bernock.