Trauma’s Casualties
You may have heard the word “trauma” before, but what does it actually mean and what can it do to a person? Before we get to that, we first have to identify what is considered a traumatic event. The DSM-5 describes it as an event in which an individual is exposed to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence. Some examples of a traumatic event include witnessing a gruesome car accident, being robbed or having your house broken into, being raped or beaten by your spouse, or a family member dying suddenly and unexpectedly. These are just examples, and by no means encapsulate all the different life events that could potentially cause a person trauma.
The common denominator in all of the above examples is that we are presented with the unpredictable and terrifying nature of the world we inhabit. As children, we grow up feeling a sense of safety (unless you lived in an abusive household), which helps us build the confidence and courage to navigate the world. When that illusion of safety is broken by a traumatic event, it can turn a person’s life upside down, The effects of trauma are so pervasive that they seep into every aspect of a person’s being. It has the potential to affect every kind of relationship, causing a complex set of problems that need to be focused on in a clinical setting. Trauma can impede upon an individual’s relationship with others on an intimate level, an individual’s identification within a group, and their moral, religious, and philosophical development within the community (Varvin and Rosenbaum, 2003). In cases of childhood trauma, this can cause severe stunted psychological growth. This makes one wonder about the future that awaits these survivors of trauma.
Without support and guidance, the trauma survivor could be faced with overwhelming feelings of shock, alienation, depression, and anxiety. This is where the power of human connection becomes essential. Experiencing a traumatic event can make a person question a lot of things in life—who can I trust, why would God let this happen, how will I move on, what other horrible things are in store for me? When a trauma survivor begins to question everything they have known about the world, a lot of chaos can ensue. Without professional interventions, a person can become increasingly anxious, hopeless about the future, paranoid about the intentions of others, and the list goes on.
If a survivor fails at connecting in some way, whether it be with a partner, their community, or with religion, they could suffer mood disturbances, mental illness, or be at a higher risk of suicide. According to Varvin and Rosenbaum (2003), it is essential for a trauma survivor to connect intimately with another person, create or recreate their identify, and discover a purpose. Of course, this doesn’t happen overnight. More realistically, it will take years. However, having guidance and learning coping skills can make it possible and much less painful than if you try doing it alone. You can have a life that doesn’t revolve around your trauma.
References
Varvin, S., & Rosenbaum, B. (2003). Extreme traumatisation: Strategies for mental survival. International Forum of Psychoanalysis, 12, 5-16.
American Psychiatric Association (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, 271.
