What is trauma?
Trauma is like a powerful storm that can shake the core of who we are. It’s not just a simple thing; it’s a tangled web of experiences that can disrupt our mental health. Imagine it as a tattoo on your mind, shaping how you feel, think, and act. Whether it’s one big, life-altering event or a constant stream of tough situations, trauma leaves a lasting mark on our inner world, affecting the way we handle emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. Let’s dive into the journey of how trauma impacts mental health and discover the various forms it can take.
Who is affected by trauma?
Trauma doesn’t play favorites – it can hit anyone, anytime. It doesn’t care about age, gender, or background. From kids to adults, trauma doesn’t discriminate. The impacts can be profound and can affect anyone who has faced challenging experiences.
What makes an experience traumatic can vary from person to person, adding an extra layer of complexity to the impact of trauma. What might be deeply distressing for one person could be less so for another. It’s like we all have our own unique backpack of life experiences, and what weighs heavy for one person might not be as burdensome for someone else.
Factors like personal history, individual resilience, and support systems play a significant role in shaping how we perceive and respond to traumatic events. Understanding that what is traumatic is subjective helps us appreciate the diversity of human experiences and underscores the importance of providing personalized and empathetic support for those navigating the aftermath of trauma.
Impacts of trauma
Let’s unpack some of the general impacts of trauma:
Emotional impact:
Heightened Emotional Sensitivity:
Trauma intensifies emotional responses. It makes regular stress feel super overwhelming and makes you more sensitive to things that bother you. Imagine living in this super emotional state – it’s pretty tiring, and it can make it harder to deal with the world around you in a way that feels safe and secure.
Extended Emotional Impact:
The emotional aftermath of trauma is not just a one-time thing – it leaves a lasting impact. It messes with how you see things, how you react to stuff, and it makes dealing with relationships and making decisions way harder. It’s like being on an emotional rollercoaster that doesn’t follow a set path, and this makes finding happiness in everyday stuff a bit tricky.
Mental impact:
Impact on self-beliefs:
Trauma can disrupt with how you see yourself and where you fit in the world. It’s like looking in a mirror that’s not quite right, and this can make you start thinking negative stuff about yourself, creating a mental space filled with self-doubt and confusion.
Altered Perception:
Trauma can change how you see yourself and the world around you. It’s like looking into a distorted mirror where the reflection is skewed.
Social-life impact:
Shift in Behavior:
Trauma change a person’s behavior. Some might get more careful, avoiding things that remind them of the traumatic experience. This caution messes with how open and spontaneous they can be, which is important for real and genuine connections with others.
Withdrawal and Isolation:
Some people might pull back and isolate themselves, like retreating into a protective shell. It’s like creating a safety zone to deal with all the uncertainties in the world outside. But, the tricky part is, it can make it hard for others to connect and for the person going through it to feel the support of friends and family.
Communication Challenges:
Trauma can impact how we communicate with our loved ones. It’s like having a conversation in a really foggy place where things aren’t clear. This fog can cause misunderstandings and mess with the emotions behind the words, making it hard to communicate effectively. Expressing yourself and getting your thoughts across becomes more challenging, making it a bit tough to navigate through social situations.
What do I do now?
Understanding that you’ve been hit by trauma is the first step. You’re not alone in this maze, and there are ways to navigate through it. From talking to someone you trust to seeking professional help, there are paths to healing.
Ready to book your first session?
Book the first therapy session with our qualified counsellors or clinical psychologists! If it feels right for you, go on and take the first step!
Book a session on our website, or Whatsapp us at +60 17-803 8384!