Trauma

Most of us experience trauma at some point of our lives. Trauma can be seen as an experience that had a significantly negative impact on a person or a distressing event. The experience affects the emotions, thoughts and behavior in such a way that it disturbs the person’s daily functioning and it affects their ability to cope with stressful situations. Trauma could be experiences such as death, any event that might have threatened your life, bullying, domestic abuse, sexual assault, the list goes on. Sometimes we would like to believe that wehave adequately dealt with our past traumatic experiences, only to be drowned by the returning memories, flashbacks and nightmares. This can bring extreme anxiety and stress to one’s life. As a result, the effects end up having an impact in most parts of our lives such as work, academics, family, relationships, mental and physical health.

Symptoms

  • Shock, denial, or disbelief.
  • Confusion, difficulty concentrating.
  • Anger, irritability, mood swings.
  • Anxiety and fear.
  • Guilt, shame, self-blame.
  • Withdrawing from others.
  • Feelings of hopelessness and helplessness.
  • Feeling disconnected or numb.

Counselling can assist in focusing on the emotional and psychological impact these experiences have on us. When one is faced with an experience that is occupying their mind and their lives, they can go through psychological desensitization to work on the impact such memories has on one’s psyche in such a way that the memories no longer shocks the system.

Another approach could be Cognitive Behavioural Therapy to work on the manner you view the experiences and the thoughts attached to them. With the aim of developing new ways to view life challenges and new schemas about the world.