02/19/2023
Part 2 of a three-part series on Trauma.
What Causes Trauma?
The causes of trauma are wide-ranging and complex. Studies have shown that even witnessing distressing events on television can cause traumatic responses for some people. This means it’s unnecessary for a person to have actual involvement in an event for it to have a direct effect on them. This type of secondary traumatic stress (STS), though, isn’t very common.
The following precipitating events most often lead to trauma reactions:
Violent assaults
Terrorist attacks
Natural disasters
Childhood neglect
Ongoing stress (e.g., living in a high-crime area)
War
Bullying
Going through multiple traumatic events
Sudden death of a loved one
Relationship failures
Deeply humiliating events
The latter three potentially traumatic events often go overlooked, but many people experience significant stress when they occur. The key takeaway is that there’s no “perfect” candidate for trauma. Our brains all process things in different ways. Health care professionals must look at the effects of these events rather than the causes of the trauma.
Symptoms of Trauma
Studies typically show the lifetime prevalence rate of trauma to be between 50% and 80%. This high incidence rate becomes more disheartening when looking at the symptoms of trauma. If you or a loved one shows any of these signs following a traumatic event, it’s important to seek help immediately. In many cases, these side effects will only worsen if left untreated.
Nightmares and sleep disturbances
Emotional outbursts
Changes in behavior or personality
Feelings of helplessness, shame or fear
Feelings of sadness, denial or anger
Depression
Anxiety
Development of substance abuse disorder
Suicidal ideation or attempts
Withdrawing from others
When stressful events lead to a trauma disorder, these psychological symptoms can interfere with every aspect of a person’s life. Physical symptoms such as digestive problems, headaches, changes in appetite, difficulty concentrating and racing heart are also common. These side effects of trauma will hopefully subside in a few weeks, but this isn’t always the case.
The type of trauma experienced can also have a significant effect on symptoms. Studies have found that the following trauma types create higher risks for suicidal ideation and actions. This risk increases if left untreated, so it’s important that symptoms never go ignored.
Interpersonal trauma
Childhood trauma
Sexual trauma
Male non-interpersonal trauma
At Transformations Treatment Center, we’ve seen all types of trauma and their effects. We know what stressful events can do to a person, and we’ve seen what can happen with a lack of treatment. Fortunately, we’ve also witnessed people fully take their lives back after undergoing the right therapeutic approach. If you or a loved one needs help, contact us today.
Source: Transformations
