Most people who have been in an accident, witnessed a death, or were the victim of a violent crime may develop a negative emotional response to the event they experienced. This response is known as trauma.
The type of emotional response that one feels after such events often depends upon the nature of the event, their age, and the impact that the event had on their lives.
Children are more likely to experience the negative effects of a traumatic experiences, and so are first responders, healthcare workers, and people who work in extreme conditions.
What are the Common Causes of Trauma?
It’s very difficult to prevent trauma because many of the events that cause it are spontaneous. Common causes of trauma include:
- Bullying or harassment
- Emotional or physical abuse
- Loss of a loved one
- Being involved in a natural disaster or accident
- Illness
- Being involved in a traffic collision
How can Trauma be Identified?
Trauma is often characterized by a particular set of emotional, physical, and mental responses to a certain event. These include:
- Feelings of anger, depression, sorrow, or guilt
- Occasional feeling of nervousness
- Cold sweats
- Feelings of depression or anxiety
While these are the common symptoms of trauma, the responses of different individuals may vary from case to case.
Apart from these emotional responses, physical responses to trauma are also common among individuals that suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
These physical responses may include sleep disturbances, respiratory and dermatological problems, urological, cardiovascular, and neurological disorders, as well as the highly-common substance use disorder.
If you or a loved one develops any of the above-mentioned negative responses to these situations, consider getting counseling at the onset. Although trauma cannot always be prevented, proper treatment can correct and reduce its damaging effects. Help is always available.