Trauma can
be defined as a frightening, sudden, unbalancing and
violent act which destroys core beliefs and values. It
is an injury that is violent and overwhelming . It also
refers to extreme stress which may or may not develop
into a pattern of symptoms which can be classified as
post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The degree of trauma that someone may experience is
impacted by their relationship to the event or person,
their religious/spiritual beliefs and other circumstances,
such as their age and perceived control over the event
(usually very little).
It is important for people who are affected to share
what they think and feel as a critical window of opportunity
exists. Debriefing and discussing the events within
72 hours of an incident can help insure that people recover
and don't end up with PTSD.
What events can cause trauma?
- An accident
- Terrorist acts
- War
- Rape
- A loved one gone missing
- Natural disasters e.g. tsunamis
- Kidnapping
- The suicide of a loved one
- Sexual abuse
- Miscarriage / abortion/ stillbirth
- Anything that can cause disenfranchised grief (where
grief is not allowed to be recognised / expressed)
- A
life threatening disease
Grief is a normal and natural response to a loss and
everyone's experience of grief is different. It shakes
the very foundations of their world and can become a
way of life. Unrecognised grief and unacknowledged loss,
may cause:
- Difficulties in relationships
- Self punishing coping behaviours
- Depression & anxiety
- Proneness to illness
Disenfranchised grief can
also occur, whereby the sorrow must remain hidden, in
circumstances where the relationship is not recognised
or the loss itself is unrecognised either by the griever
or by others. |
Grieving generally goes through stages,
according to Elizabeth Kubler- Ross these are:
- Denial & isolation
- Anger
- Bargaining
- Depression
- Acceptance
However, most therapists these days will see these as
not necessarily relevant as most people will move back
and forth from one stage to another, over a period of
time. The usual grief reactions, which will occur in
different stages for different people, are:
- Shock, numbness and disbelief
- Disorientation
- Anger
- Guilt & regret
- Depression, despair, loneliness and sadness
- Acceptance
Counselling is needed if a person is suffering from disenfranchised
grief, they seem to be 'stuck' or they are suffering from
long term unresolved grief and loss.
What are the differences between normal
grief & trauma?
Grief |
Trauma |
- Yearning & reminiscing
- Grief dreams
- Distress with thoughts of loss
- Shock, disbelief, numbness
- Sadness
- Diminished pleasure
- Anger, irritability
- Impaired concentration
|
- Intrusive distressing memories / flashbacks
- Traumatic dreams
- Intense distress with thoughts, symbols and
reminders of the event
- Inability to recall aspects of the event
- Detachment / estrangement from others
- Avoidance
of thoughts & feelings
- Anger, irritability, guilt (especially survivor
guilt)
- Hypervigilance
- Exaggerated startle response
|
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