What is Trauma?
Trauma is a condition that arises from significant stress resulting from unexpected events beyond an individual's control that threaten their psychological, physical, and emotional integrity. The definition and impact of trauma vary from person to person — an event that is deeply traumatising for one individual may have a lesser effect on another. Trauma can be broadly categorised into physical and psychological (emotional) trauma.
Physical Trauma
Physical trauma results from tangible causes such as accidents, injuries, and natural disasters. It encompasses physical assaults, tissue damage, severe injuries, sports injuries, and natural disaster-related harm. These types of trauma require prompt medical intervention and may necessitate long-term treatment and rehabilitation.
Psychological (Emotional) Trauma
Psychological trauma is rooted in emotionally distressing experiences that severely and suddenly affect an individual's emotional and mental balance. Physical and psychological traumas interact with one another — a physical trauma such as a natural disaster can generate significant psychological consequences. Events that may cause psychological trauma include:
- Loss of a family member or close relation
- End of a romantic relationship
- Physical or emotional abuse at any age
- Workplace mobbing or harassment
- Financial difficulties in daily life
- Relationship problems with close ones or partners
- Sexual assault
- Emotional consequences arising from physical trauma
In both types of trauma, individuals may experience serious emotional and physical difficulties. The psychological condition that emerges following traumatic experiences is known as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Professional online therapy is essential for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
PTSD is a condition that can develop following direct or indirect exposure to events such as life-threatening situations, natural disasters, violence, or severe injury. When symptoms persist for less than three months, the condition is classified as 'acute'; longer duration indicates a 'chronic' form.
Under normal circumstances, the human mind endures a period of strain following traumatic events. Through psychological resilience and problem-solving abilities, individuals can recover with minimal lasting impact. However, when these difficulties persist without resolution, quality of life deteriorates significantly. Online therapy provides an accessible and effective option for addressing these challenges.
Symptoms of PTSD
PTSD symptoms typically emerge within the first month following a traumatic event, though they can appear years later in some cases:
Re-experiencing:
Also known as flashbacks, this symptom involves reliving the traumatic event through nightmares or intrusive daytime recollections. The individual may vividly re-experience the sounds and images of the event, often accompanied by self-blame and guilt.
Avoidance behaviours:
The individual actively avoids places, scents, colours, and situations that could serve as reminders of the traumatic event, as these triggers can provoke intense distress, fear, and panic.
Hyperarousal:
Individuals remain constantly on edge, feeling as though the trauma could recur at any moment. Loud noises, sudden movements, and unexpected stimuli can trigger physical symptoms such as nausea, startled responses, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, and sweating.
Dissociative symptoms:
Individuals may feel disconnected from time, as though observing themselves from the outside. This is often accompanied by emotional numbness, loss of interest and motivation, and a sense of alienation from their surroundings.
PTSD Treatment: Online Therapy
The PTSD treatment plan must be tailored to the severity of the event, presenting symptoms, and the individual's life circumstances and capabilities. The primary goal of therapy is to reduce the intense and complex emotional burden caused by traumatic memories, restoring the individual to a more functional state. Treatment methods include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, EMDR, supportive therapy, online therapy, and where indicated, medication.