Psychological trauma is one of life’s painful and unexpected events that individuals find it difficult to bear mentally. These events range from the loss of a loved one, terrible accidents, to shocking emotional experiences. These traumas can lead to deep psychological effects, requiring special attention and effective treatment.
Psychological trauma is defined as an intense emotional response that occurs due to exposure to a painful or horrifying event. These events can be sudden and out of the ordinary, leaving a deep impact on an individual’s mental state.
Symptoms of Psychological Trauma:
1. Shock and disbelief: The individual may experience a period of shock and disbelief about what happened, finding it difficult to believe the events.
2. Emotional distress: The individual may suffer from feelings of anger, sadness, and extreme emotional distress.
3. Emotional numbness: The person may exhibit emotional numbness, finding it difficult to interact with others naturally.
4. Nightmares and flashbacks: Nightmares and dreams associated with the shocking event may increase.
5. Avoidance and isolation: The individual may distance themselves from situations or places associated with the trauma and prefer isolation.
6. Tension and anxiety: The individual affected by trauma may experience increased stress and anxiety.
Causes of Psychological Trauma:
Major accidents, such as car accidents or natural disasters.
Loss of a loved one or friend.
Physical or emotional assaults.
War experiences and military conflicts.
Difficult emotional experiences, such as divorce or emotional separation.
Stages of the Psychological Trauma Impact
To have a deep understanding of trauma treatment, it is necessary to first identify the stages individuals go through during this difficult experience. These stages include:
1. Reaction stage:
Trauma triggers a strong reaction that manifests in agitation, confusion, and sadness. The person in this stage finds it difficult to remember important dates, and feelings of anger and numbness may appear. This stage can last from a few hours to several days.
2. Impact stage:
This is followed by the impact stage, which can last from two weeks to four weeks. In this stage, the acute stress reaction subsides, but those affected still experience the impact of the event internally. Strong self-doubts may appear, and individuals may feel despair, depression, helplessness, and a dark outlook towards the future. Some may feel guilty for their supposed mistakes, and outbursts of anger and violent accusations against potential culprits may occur.
3. Recovery stage:
In the recovery stage, some of those affected begin to recover from the trauma, but the shocking event still holds central importance. Some may need a long time to regain their mental balance.
These stages are a natural journey of the psychological trauma impact, and knowing them helps identify the best treatment and support strategies for individuals during this difficult experience.
Treatment methods:
Psychological therapy: Cognitive-behavioral and analytical therapy can help individuals cope with trauma and change their perspective on events.
Social support: Support from family and friends can play a crucial role in the trauma healing process.
Medications: In some cases, the doctor may recommend taking sedative medications to reduce symptoms.
Exercise therapy: Physical activity can help improve mood and reduce stress.
It is worth noting that starting therapy quickly can help alleviate the psychological trauma effects and improve the quality of the affected person’s life.
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