Most people are
familiar with the word trauma when it has to do with sudden painful serious
physical experiences, but did you know that Trauma can be as devastating if it
is created from an emotional experience?
Emotional trauma is a term used to explain events that are emotionally
distressing, and that engulf people’s ability to cope, leaving them with a
feeling of helplessness. It comes from terrifying
thoughts and distressing emotions. Mental
trauma can cause individuals to act in very fearful ways, create a sense of
vulnerability and remoteness, sleeplessness, irritability, hostility, hyper
awareness, or even flashbacks.
Many forms of
trauma exist. Violence and physical assault are the most readily understood
forms of physical and mental trauma; however, it is important to know that more
subtle forms of trauma are as insidious and equally as devastating. Continued
Discrimination, poverty and destitution, witnessing violence, or any continual
or prolonged fear, anxiety or a chaotic lifestyle can be considered trauma as
they are life altering and they have effects on the health and life situations
of the individuals involved.
Scientific
studies have found that children who are consistently subjected to stress and
trauma are wired differently than children who live and are raised in a safe
secure environment. But how is trauma detrimental to the development of a
child? When stress or threat occurs, the
individual’s body responses with a “fight or flight” reaction. The powerful hormone cortisol is released,
and although it is important and can be a protection device in emergencies, if
chronic stress occurs, the levels become toxic, and they damage and kill
neurons that are present in crucial parts of the brain. Hyperarousal, which causes an elevated heart
rate, body temperature, and continuous angst, are continually present in the
person’s life. An internal reaction is
that the child disassociates, shutting down, and detaching from emotions and
feelings in order to adapt. The younger
the child, the more likely they are to suffer from posttraumatic stress. This takes
place due to the fact that they are helpless to be able to fight or flee. A
state of helplessness becomes a learned response to life and the effects will
reverberate throughout the child’s development unless treated.
If you or
someone you love suffers from trauma, give us a call: (310) 310-9249
We can
help! Join us in May as we continue to
discuss the impact of trauma.
“Traumatic
events are extraordinary, not because they occur rarely, but rather because
they overwhelm the ordinary human adaptations to life.” —
Judith Herman, Trauma and Recovery
