Trauma

Let's chat about trauma.

Just as we are all individual, different events affect people in different ways. What one person perceives as a traumatic event; another may simply brush off. Genetics, personality, circumstance, and perception can all contribute to whether an event is remembered - and indeed imprinted, as traumatic or not.

Take criticism. For some, criticism may be taken on board and used constructively to encourage reflection and improve performance. Whilst the same criticism given to someone else may inflict emotional pain, anxiety, and depression - trauma.

How we perceive any given situation affects how we process and ultimately react to it. Any perceived stressful situation that is either prolonged and ongoing, or acute and one off (such as a car accident) can result in long-term physiological changes that negatively effect both body and mind.

However, the more emotional support an individual receives during times of stress, the more likely they are able to weather that stress. According to some theorists, depression is caused by a lack of hope - when our mental resources are unable to cope with a perceived negative and stressful situation. With this theory, it is the perception of hopelessness that influences our mental and physical state, regardless of the actual situation and often in the absence of trauma. Unfortunately, perception and negative bias are often set in childhood and can influence whether we experience future events as traumatic, particularly in the absence of emotional support and counselling.

Chronic anxiety by definition is caused by the perception and stress of an impending (future) event that will cause us harm - a perceived future trauma, that in reality may never materialise. However, the ways in which we try to avoid this tends to reinforce our belief that the danger is real and therefore we remain stuck in a cycle of avoidance and a state of chronic stress that dictates our lives.

Of course there are situations that anyone would find traumatic, such as abuse (emotional & physical), death, war, disaster, and personal threat. Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can be one consequence of a traumatic event that can adversely affect an individual if the right support and counselling is not received.

If you're suffering from a the effects of trauma please seek counselling from a qualified mental health specialist who can help you to process and resolve past events. However, if general anxiety is keeping you from living your best life, contact me and let's chat about the ways you can break free of the stress wheel and live the life you were meant to.

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