This is a subject where I have personal experience. You may be one of the numerous people who has also had to deal with the challenges that trauma brings.

It is an important concept as it can easily have a detrimental effect on our MH.

Firstly I think we need a common definition. I like “A tissue injury or event that causes long lasting mental or emotional damage”. This does not include all bad experiences. Sometimes we can manage nasty events without experiencing long lasting reoccurring traumatic mental and physical medical conditions.

You may have lived through several good and bad experiences during your life. There have been two horrible periods in my life that I would describe as traumatic:

Firstly, the mental breakdown in March 2020. The helplessness and almost total reliance on another person (Mrs T) is difficult to understand. The associated depression and anxiety were awful and I feel I am still having to manage the aftermath.

Secondly, my recent open heart surgery was traumatic in retrospect. To be told you were close to death during nearly four weeks in a coma is very difficult information to process.

Odelya Gertel Kraybill a trauma specialist, psychotherapist and consultant said:

“Trauma is complex, a shock of sorts, to all systems. These include:

1.  Cognitive - trauma affects ability to process thoughts and make good judgements.

2.  Physical - it affects our muscles, joints, metabolism, temperature, sleep, immune system, appetite and weight.

3.  Emotional - many survivors loop endlessly through emotions of shame, guilt, fear, anger and pain.

4.  Spiritual - trauma affects our worldview, our understanding and meaning of life, society and the world.

5.  Social - Trauma affects relationships with spouses, family, friends, colleagues and strangers.”      

The important question is what to do after the traumatic event. The Australian Psychological Society has issued a list of things to consider doing:

* Recognise you have been through a distressing experience and give yourself permission to experience some reaction to it.

* Don’t be angry with yourself for being upset.

* Remind yourself that you are not abnormal and that you can and are coping.

* Avoid making any major decisions or life changes.

* Do not try to block out thoughts about what happened. Gradually confronting these thoughts will assist you in coming to terms with the traumatic experience.

* Share your experiences with others when opportunities arise. This may feel uncomfortable at times but talking to people you trust rather than bottling up your feelings is helpful in dealing with trauma.

* Try to maintain a normal routine. Keep busy and structure your day. Remember that regular exercise is important but do allow yourself time to rest if you are tired.

* Make time to practice relaxation. Use a formal technique or just make time to absorb yourself in a relaxing activity such as gardening or listening to music.

* Express your feelings as they arise. Discuss them with someone else or write them down in a diary.

Teg

A Moodscope member