Do You Know The Signs?
When someone experiences trauma, either first or secondhand, it can have major physical and emotional impacts. Trauma is defined as a deeply distressing and/or disturbing event experienced by a group or individual. The resulting effects can be different for everyone involved. This is why the most important thing anyone can do is to ask someone suffering from its impacts "how it makes them feel." By remaining neutral, it allows the person experiencing symptoms their ownership of the event. It shows them that how they feel is valid and how they remember it to have happened is just as important as what happened.
According to the National Center for Mental Health Promotion and Youth Violence Prevention, 26% of children in the United States will witness or experience some form of trauma before the age four. More than 60% of youth under the age of 17 have been exposed to crime, violence or abuse.
What causes trauma:
Accidents, Natural Disasters, Acts of Violence, All forms of Abuse, Bullying, Loss of a Loved One, Divorce, Mental Illness, Domestic Violence
Emotional Signs of Trauma:
Shock, Denial, Disbelief, Anger, Irritability, Mood Swings, Anxiety/Fear, Guilt, Shame, Self-Blame, Disconnection/Numbness
Physical Signs of Trauma:
Insomnia, Nightmares, Fatigue, Easily Startled, Difficulty Concentrating, Racing Heartbeat, Edginess, Agitation, Aches/Pains, Muscle Tension