What is Trauma?
Imagine how you would feel if you witnessed a car accident in which two people were killed. What if you were on vacation and suddenly confronted by a man with a gun? Experiences like these are called “traumatic stressors.” They can profoundly affect you and your life for months or even years.
Trauma occurs when you have been exposed to an event that involves a serious threat to you or someone close to you. The threat may be violent or non-violent. Many people believe that a trauma can only be something big like an accident or natural disaster. Research has shown us this is completely untrue. Our bodies generate a traumatic response any time we feel threatened or unsafe.
A trauma is any event that emotionally overwhelms a person and creates a feeling of threat (emotional, physical, or mental). That in turn generates a fight, flight, or freeze response. When a person is not able to recover from that event naturally and restore equilibrium, post-traumatic stress begins and escalates.
Examples of Traumatic Events
- Witnessing a Bad Car Accident
- Sudden Death of a Family Member or Friend
- Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment
- A Family Member Commits Suicide
- Bullying at Work or School
- Attending to an Accident Scene
- Choking
- Neglect
- Suffering Abuse as a Child
- Separation and Divorce
- Witnessing a Violent Assault
- Experiencing a Natural Disaster or Pandemic
How Trauma Happens – The Fight, Flight or Freeze Response
All of the information that we receive is absorbed into our brains through our senses. What we see, smell, hear, taste, and touch. The first place it travels is the mid-brain where our emotions are located. The mid-brain acts like a gatekeeper and alerts us to any kind of danger.
If there is no danger detected, the information continues up to the neocortex where it is understood, processed and stored in our memory as past tense. If danger is detected, the autonomic nervous system is activated and two stress hormones are immediately released – adrenaline and cortisol. Adrenaline produces the hot flush or hotness that you feel when you become aroused. It can make you feel energized. Cortisol works in the opposite way; its function is to slow or shut down the thinking part of the brain.
Your body goes into survival mode – it’s the fight, flight or freeze response. Your body tenses, heart races and breath quickens.
When a traumatic event occurs, it is likely that it is constantly “on your mind” even if you don’t realize it. All the while, the mid-brain (the emotional gatekeeper) is trying to do its job and place the event into the neocortex where you can make sense of it and commit it to memory. But the event can’t get past the gate. It is stuck there.
As this is happening, you may be experiencing flashbacks and feelings replaying over and over. They are so distressful that they keep you in a constant state of agitation.
What Happens After a Traumatic Event
During this time, your ability to think logically, to rationalize and to make decisions is compromised. Your emotions are more exaggerated and intense. You are more easily prone to irritability, frustration, and angry outbursts. You may feel more depressed and anxious. Your concentration and focus is poor. You will have lapses in short-term memory, often forgetting things, and you are hyper-vigilant and jumpy. These are all common post-traumatic symptoms. They may be frightening and you may not understand why they are happening to you.
The Therapy you Need
“Sometimes, a traumatic experience is more than we can handle on our own. It’s ok to seek help in recovering from a traumatic event or if you suspect you have PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). Contact me to find out how I can help!!” Kay Noseworthy
Email info@newfoundhope.ca or call (709) 899-0784.