Let’s Talk...about Trauma

Have you ever experienced or witnessed a frightening, disturbing, or impactful event that has negatively affected you for days, weeks, months, or even years later? If the memories and/or resulting pain following a traumatic event have left you feeling vulnerable or self-protective, you may have experienced trauma.

So, What Exactly Are Traumatic Events? 

Trauma is a form of “mental injury” that occurs when a person experiences or witnesses an event in which their safety is threatened or violated. The person often feels overwhelmed, helpless, and isolated. This can be a one-time incident, such as a sudden accident or illness, natural disaster, or an act of violence. 

We know that repeated exposure to the same or other similar traumatic events, such as living in a crime ridden neighborhood, repeated family violence or abuse, or repeatedly viewing violent or horrific images on social media can leave individuals traumatized. Individual reactions to traumatic event(s) can vary significantly. 

Symptoms of Trauma and Its Impact on Our Well-being

Traumatic experiences require time and support in order to heal. Some common reactions to trauma include: upsetting and reoccurring thoughts or trouble sleeping or eating. Victims of trauma may also become more fearful, anxious, and/or experience the need to avoid certain situations, places, or people. It may become increasingly difficult to return to their normal life activities, routines, and functioning. 

A traumatic response can occur immediately after a recent event, or it may be delayed. A traumatic response can also occur at any time in the future if the victim is experiencing something that re-triggers their earlier trauma, or re-experiencing trauma on the anniversary of the event. 

Childhood Trauma and Adverse Childhood Experiences

Experiencing or witnessing traumatic events during childhood can lead to severe and/or long-lasting negative impacts on an individual’s mental and physical well-being. Any event that significantly disturbs a child’s sense of safety and security constitutes trauma. A very contentious divorce or exposure to chronic, violent, unpredictable, volatile, or frightening behaviors in the home are some examples. Children who experience neglect, mental, physical, or sexual abuse, are also victims of trauma. The impact of childhood trauma can carry over well into adulthood and can result in increased susceptibility to experiencing trauma later on in life. 

Normal Responses to Trauma vs Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD):

After experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, it is normal to feel distressed or have negative, reoccurring thoughts of the event. It is normal to have symptoms after an event. However, the symptoms should decrease over time. If symptoms or negative feelings worsen, the person may have post-traumatic stress disorder. 

Four Main Symptoms of PTSD

1. Re-experiencing the traumatic event through flashbacks, intrusive memories, and/or nightmares,
2. Avoiding anything that reminds the person of the traumatic event 
3. Hyperarousal, such as increased irritability, angry outbursts, and/or being on “constant alert” 
4. Negative thoughts and mood changes, such as difficulty concentrating, depression, paranoia, guilt, shame, or blaming one’s self for the event. 

Coping Strategies after a Traumatic Event:

Allow your thoughts and feelings.Remind yourself that your reactions are normal. Individuals can experience a variety of negative emotions after a traumatic event. Suppressing these feelings or thoughts may hinder healing. 

Talk about your thoughts and feelings. Sharing your feelings and experiences with someone who feels safe and is supportive of you can help to not feel alone or isolated. It is important to stay connected with others during troubling times.

Create daily routines. Predictable schedules increase feelings of structure and stability. Having a daily sense of security and safety is critical to recovery.

Practice self-care. Taking time and effort to pay to attention to your needs and feelings is critical to reducing fatigue and avoiding burnout. Integrate activities you find enjoyable and soothing into your daily routine. These activities can aid in managing stress during troubling times.

Did you know that the UCLA Staff & Faculty Counseling Center can assist you in coping with traumatic events? Please call us today at: (310) 794-0245.