Trauma

Trauma is the outcome of a deeply disturbing or distressing experience that impairs a person’s ability to cope in stressful situations. It causes them to feel vulnerable, undermines their sense of well-being, and restricts their ability to experience only negative emotions while reminding them of their traumatic experiences.

This includes a wide range of traumatic experiences that can have an impact on a person’s mental health and perception of reality.

There are many types of trauma and they are categorised as:

• Acute trauma: A single stressful event.
• Chronic trauma: This is when there are regular and continuous highly stressful events. Examples include cases of childhood trauma (child abuse, bullying), domestic violence and psychological trauma from life-threatening events (natural disasters, war, terrorist attack)
• Complex trauma: This results from there is exposure to many traumatic events.

Someone who has been through a traumatic or stressful experience may develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which has long-term physical and emotional negative effects. Although the signs and symptoms of trauma differ from person to person, there are a few that are common.

PTSD develops as trauma persists or worsens after a long period of time has passed since the distressing experience. People suffering from PTSD may struggle to cope in both their personal and professional lives if they are not treated.

Signs and symptoms of PTSD include:

• Emotional effects: denial, anger, fear, sadness, anxiety, shame, confusion, numbness, hopelessness
• Physical effects: frequent headaches, stomach aches, fatigue, racing heart, sweating

At Nuffield Wellness, we use approaches such as Trauma-focused Cognitive behavioural therapy to address the effects of the early distressing experience of trauma.  Our trained and experienced Counsellor Ms  Zahira is here to support you. Book in for a consultation today.