What Is Trauma?
Trauma is an emotionally disturbing or life-threatening event, or series of events, that overwhelms and negatively affects our bodies, minds, and emotions.
Understanding Trauma
Trauma is defined and talked about in many ways. Trauma is defined in the medical community as the exposure to death, threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence in one (or more) of the following way(s):
- Direct Experience
- Witnessing Firsthand
- Learning a Relative or Close Friend Was Exposed to a Trauma
- Repeated or Extreme Exposure to Aversive Details of Trauma (extremely unpleasant and possibly psychologically harmful) This type of exposure is often experienced by first responders, medics, police officers, trauma staff, military, mental health workers, etc. (DSM V)
HHPC serves people who have experienced a violent injury due to community violence – people who have been shot, stabbed, or assaulted in some way that is serious enough to bring them to a hospital trauma center – the highest level of medical care available for those who are injured. Trauma centers also care for people with injuries from car crashes, falls, work related incidents, domestic and sexual violence, burns, sports, and many other types of injuries.
HHPC staff provide post-trauma education about the potential impact of the violent injury or trauma exposure (psychoeducation) immediately after the event. For most people, trauma exposure brings with it some type of impact – physical and psychological. Some people describe the physical and psychological impact of trauma as “negative” or difficult or scary. People may feel out of control and don’t understand what is happening to them.
HHPC’s team of professionals are experts in post-trauma care. We believe it is normal to be upset after a life-threatening event or serious injury. People may find daily activities difficult (school, work, being with friends and family, eating, sleeping). It is important to remember that people have many different reactions to trauma or violent injury. For some, the event brings extreme fear. For others, they are so happy to still be alive that the injury may create a path toward change – they have a second chance!
Traumatic Experiences
One or many traumatic events that occur in the course of one's lifetime.
Trauma Related Adaptations
Adaptations or reactions to trauma can include a variety of emotional and physiological responses.
Risk of Re-Exposure
Untreated trauma can increase the risk of an individual being exposed to violence.
Chronic Stress Levels
Limited resources to cope and mitigate the impact of trauma.
Long-term Adaptations
Long-term adaptations further impair functioning and increase risk for re-exposure.
Traumatic Experiences/ACEs
Adverse childhood experiences, or ACSs, are potentially traumatic events that occur in childhood (0-17 years).
Trauma Related Adaptations
Adaptations or reactions to trauma can include a variety of emotional and physiological responses.
Risk of Re-Exposure
Untreated trauma can increase the risk of an individual being exposed to violence.
Chronic Stress
Limited resources to cope and mitigate the impact of trauma.
Long-term Adaptations
Long-term adaptations further impair functioning and increase risk for re-exposure.
Why All This Talk About Trauma?
Humans are hard-wired for survival. In the same way that the physical responses to life-threatening events are triggered, over time people develop ways of coping with multiple traumas and traumatic stress (adaptations). Some of these adaptations can prove problematic, and even increase the risk of re-exposure.
The cycle of trauma-related adaptations often results in repeated exposure if the cycle is not interupted.
How Do We Account for the Differences in People’s Responses to a Life-Threatening Event?
People respond to trauma in different ways based on life experiences, support systems, and individual coping skills. In other words, two people can experience the same event and respond very differently. The types of care and support needed is unique for each individual.
The 3 E’s of Trauma (SAMSHA) may provide some clues. In this framework there was the:
- Event – What happened? The event/injury itself.
- Experience – How did the person and those around him/her/them experience the event? What are their thoughts and feelings about it – during and after?
- Effects – What are the long-term effects of the event? Every event has the potential for harm or adversity and for growth – in the physical, mental, social, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of our selves.
Do you or someone you know need support?
If you or someone you know needs support from a mental health professional, contact HHPC staff by calling (312) 864-2735 or emailing info@healinghurtpeoplechicago.org.
Physical Responses to Trauma
Violent injury and other traumatic experiences set off automatic responses in our bodies and brains. Often referred to as “fight or flight”, these responses can be confusing and scary. It is helpful to understand that these are automatic physical reactions to dangers or threats in our environment.
Fight or flight evolved in humans as a survival mechanism. The tricky thing is that our bodies respond the same whether the threat or danger is real or simply perceived to be real. Trauma lives on in our bodies and stays in our minds in ways that can be “triggered” by people or events in our environment – sights, sounds, smells, etc. These experiences can put us in a state where our bodies have the automatic response even though we are under no real threat in the moment.
As a guide to healing from these emotional and physical states HHPC uses a therapeutic model with participants called SELF, an anacronym for Safety, Emotion, Loss, and Future, to help individuals self-regulate and better undertand the origins of these responses to trauma.
Emotional Reactions to Trauma and Ways to Help Yourself
These are common short-term ways that our minds, bodies, and spirits deal with trauma. If these short-term reactions last longer than you or your family are comfortable with (or longer than 6 months) you should contact your doctor or other professional caregiver for help.
Common Emotional Reactions to Trauma
- Grief
- Fear and/or anxiety
- Irritability
- Worrying
- Nightmares
- Flashbacks – feeling like the trauma is happening now
- Feeling alone and/or pushing loved ones away
- Numbness
- Difficulty sleeping
- Shame and/or guilt
- Forgetfulness
Ways to Help Yourself Cope
- Talk it out
- Spend time with friends and family
- Cry
- Exercise
- Laugh
- Pray or meditate
- Enjoy music or a bath
- Write about how you feel
- Eat and sleep well
- Don’t drink a lot of caffeine (soda, tea, or coffee)
- Avoid alcohol and drug use
- Stay active – volunteer, study, go back to work
Stories of Healing
Antonio talks about what inspired him to do the work he does and the importance of establishing safety in order for participants to begin healing from their traumatic experiences.