Trauma can affect each person differently
Trauma Counselling | Bentleigh
Trauma can affect each person differently. Trauma is likely to be very different from anything you have gone through before. It can mean you question things that you have always thought were true. For example, you might no longer believe that the world is a safe place, that people are generally good, or that you are in control of what happens to you.
Traumatic experiences may include:
Childhood abuse and neglect
Being in a serious car or work accident
Being physically assaulted
Being involved in a war – either as a civilian or as part of military operations
Being involved in a natural disaster, such as a pandemic, bushfire, flood or cyclone
Being sexually assaulted or abused
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that's triggered by a terrifying event — either experiencing it or witnessing it. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event.
Most people who go through traumatic experiences may have difficulty adjusting and coping, but with time and good self-care, they usually get better. Some people try to cope by avoiding any thoughts or talking about the traumatic event. The pain of grief and PTSD can often cause you to want to withdraw from others and retreat into your shell.
It’s important to realise that grief is a response to a loss or stressful events, like a relationship breakdown or the death of a loved one through natural causes. These events can cause grief and can affect your mental health, but they are not the same as the traumatic events described above.
Getting effective treatment after PTSD symptoms develop can be critical to reduce symptoms and improve function. Even if you’re not comfortable talking about your feelings under normal circumstances, it’s important to seek help. Getting treatment as soon as possible can help prevent PTSD symptoms from getting worse.