Trauma
Trauma
Trauma is “a psychological wound that has occurred due to a person’s perception of a stressful event” (Peter Horton, CEO Trauma Centre Australia).
Psychological trauma can occur when we experience accidents, workplace injury, death, bullying and harassment, domestic violence, sexual abuse, being a victim of a parent who is alcoholic, poverty, illness, surviving a catastrophic event such as fire, flood, or pandemic.
It is when a person classifies an event as a trauma that determines when trauma has occurred.
Responses to trauma vary, lasting weeks, months, or years following the initial event and may include shock, confusion, numbness, aggression, hyper-vigilance, flashbacks, mood swings, anxiety, panic, sleep disruption, poor concentration, and depression. More severe reactions are post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), suicidal thoughts, and psychosis. The misuse of alcohol and other drugs may also be a way that we use to cope with a trauma-related experience.
The ways you can reduce symptoms of trauma include:
Avoiding stimulants such as caffeine, nicotine, alcohol and other drugs
Maintaining a routine, and, if possible, returning to work as soon as possible
Eating healthily and having regular relaxation and exercise
Talking to others.
For further support and assistance, please call the Psychealth Helpline, details below.
Phone: 1800 497 197 (AUS)/ 0800 466 400 (NZ)
Email: info@psychealth.com.au
Additional Resources/ Helplines
Australia
Full Stop Australia
1800 385 578
offering confidential, trauma specialist counseling for people of all genders who are impacted by violence and abuse, as well as their friends, colleagues and family members.
New Zealand
Manaaki Tāngata | Victim Support
0800 842 846
Support for people directly affected by crime, suicide and traumatic events, including their whānau and witnesses.
Video About Trauma
The implication of high stress is considered 'trauma.' Click on the below link to see how stress affects our brain.