Trauma effects and symptoms

Trauma survivors often relive the event/s after the trauma. This can be in the form of flashbacks, nightmares or recurring thoughts. And this can be very distressing, because this is as if you are going through the trauma again and experiencing the same things when the event actually occurred.

Because of this inner turmoil trauma survivors can be on edge, easily frightened, irritated or angered.

People who are traumatized often feel overwhelmed. Because of that, they struggle to function and perform their daily tasks and responsibilities. That in turn, often makes them feel even worse and lead to feelings of guilt, shame etc. Such as a parent not being able to look after his/her children in the way they used to.

Trauma usually affects your cognitive functions (mental abilities), such as planning, decision-making and focusing.

Depending on the type of trauma people can develop trust issues. If you are a victim of crime, your sense of safety can be shattered. You may feel unsafe, under threat, distrusting people or even humankind. Life loses its predictability.

To religious people, this may lead to questioning God and a "faith crisis". To anyone, religious or not, this may lead to questioning the meaning and purpose of life.

Often another consequence is that you lose your sense of self. This is the result of not being in control of your inner or outer world.

Family and friends

Aside from the trauma itself and your reaction to it, other people’s reactions can complicate matters even further.

Some people withdraw and show no involvement, often because people feel awkward, powerless or are scared of saying the “wrong” thing. This may be at a time when you really need support or a temporary accommodation at work or school.

Other people make comments, such as “it will take you a long time to get over this”. They do this to convey that they recognise the seriousness and impact of the trauma. However, this leaves you disempowered and wondering if things will ever be “normal” again.

This can make you feel very misunderstood and isolated.

Schedule a trauma counselling session

• Regain control.
• Restore your well-being.
• Resume your daily tasks and responsibilities.
• That is sensitive not to retraumatise you, but move you towards hope.

Some examples of trauma:

• Crime related trauma. For example, robberies, hijackings, assaults etc.
• Any form of loss. For example, loss of a limb, loss of a family member or friend, loss of bodily functions.
• Being diagnosed with a life threatening, debilitating or chronic disease.
• Adolescents exposed to the trauma of their parents’ divorces / separation.
• Individuals having to cope with a family member’s challenges. For example, disability, disorders, sickness.
• Emergency care workers (ER doctors, nurses, paramedics, rescue technicians) exposed to a single incident trauma or continuous trauma.
• Accidents. For example, car accidents, drownings, near-drownings, injuries. These may be traumatic to the survivors, witnesses, family members and friends.
• Pre- and post-operation period.
• Adolescents exposed to single incident or continuous bullying.
• Entering the terminal phase of a disease.
• Suicide attempts. This may be traumatic for the person who attempted suicide as well as family members, friends, and witnesses.
• Living with a chronic disease/illness.