If you think you might be experiencing Post trauma (PTSD), please read this​

 

The moment we are born on this planet, each of us inevitably encountered some type of a traumatic event and for one reason -- due to imperfection of this life. First traumatic experiences usually start in early childhood. For most people, traumatic events are many.

What is a traumatic event? Traumatic event is related to an event when we encounter psychological, physical or spiritual difficulty. Example of a childhood trauma can be - a loss of a parent; being raised by an alcoholic parent; raised by a parent of low awareness- subjected to emotional, physical, verbal abuse. A very traumatic event for a child is an event of a sexual abuse. Along with many other events causing trauma. Examples of an adult trauma - finding yourself in a traumatic event of different types, ex. car accident, death of a loved one, witnessing traumatic event, victim of a Narcissistic abuse in a family, etc.

What is a psychological trauma and why it is pervasive? Psychological trauma is caused by a traumatic event in our life that caused hyper arousal of our nervous system with subsequent changes in how our nervous system operates thereafter. Consequence of a psychological trauma is in having repeated experiences of similar triggered hyperarousal events throughout days, months or years of life followed by a traumatic event.

Why some events in a life are more traumatic than others

An event usually becomes traumatic because it is usually unexpected, sudden, evoking strong emotion, when person is not able to recognize such event immediately and to respond in some form to resolve emotion attached to that right there. Because you are unable to process and release painful emotion during that event, a memory of this event gets stored in our subconscious mind and gets evoked periodically when we are exposed to some trigger. That is why it is called a Post traumatic disorder- aftereffects can affect person for long years of life.

Most people don't know they were subjected to trauma until they experience some life event or events which leaves them in psychological distress and they are left with no other option but to look for the cause of what is happening to them psychologically and why they are feeling the way they are feeling.

Some people as a result, look for professional help and then PTSD is diagnosed and treated while others don't seek help but instead, cover pain of such psychological triggering by using drugs, alcohol, tobacco, addictions such as, shopping, worcaholism, gambling are used to numb psychological pain.

When person uses all those to cover psychological pain usually they are unaware that such addictions are their ways to cope with trauma thus continuing harming themselves through addictive activities. So, addictions of many types are in many cases (not allways) are ways to cope with some trauma.

Psychological trauma is very unique for each person but one common denominator for all is that trauma exposes itself to a person during difficult times in life, during some distress. Then we call it triggering or activated trauma. When trauma is activated, in many cases only then we know that we are in fact suffering PTSD of some form. In some cases- even CPTSD (Complex traumas) due to multiple traumas affecting the person.

What are symptoms of activated trauma- Sudden feeling of confusion, sogginess, feeling as you are split into 2 persons (losing control over yourself); dissociation (as watching yourself from out of body), strong anxiety, can be in a form of a panic attack. Flashbacks. Tearfulness, wanting to cry all the time for no obvious reason. Feelings of depression, feeling drained, low energy. Isolation is common - the feeling as you are enclosed into own world. Thoughts that others don't understand or don't care. Perceived loss of psychological control over yourself.

Most times, person isn't aware of why they feel the way they feel during activated trauma. You feel that something isn't right however it is difficult to identify nature and source of a problem. You will learn about your trauma once you start being aware of what is happening to you and how to handle those episodes to cope and potentially reduce effects of trauma (heal).

Do you need help for PTSD? Absolutely.

From own experience as a clinician, I am yet to see a person who successfully delt with PTSD by themselves. Usually, PTSD is a long standing, an on and off psychological distress, which can only be detected by a professional. Then, to be taken to the source of the issue to be treated and healed.

Here I will only provide few tips on how to cope during episodes of active trauma

Look at those episodes as at an even similar to when you get sick. You need lots of rest, quite time with yourself. Same time to allow loved one's to be there for you. Soothing music of your favorite type; having enough rest and sleep. Give yourself as much comfort and nurturing. These soothing activities will allow you to relax to start being more aware of what is happening inside of you. Further treatment needs to be handled in the office of a professional.

 

You mental health is at most importance. Mental health issues are many times is the source of physiological problems as well. If you can identify with said above, you might be experiencing aftereffects of trauma, seek professional help.