Psychological Trauma
Psychological Trauma: More Than Just ‘Emotional Damage’
Unfortunately, the world is a place where bad things do happen. Many of us are subject to terrible events ranging from vehicle crashes and sexual assault to war and natural disasters. Psychological trauma is the emotional response to these events.
Some people experience psychological trauma after experiencing distressing events. In severe, cases, this response can become a condition called post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD.
In this article:
Traumatised
Psychological trauma is the body’s reaction to deeply distressing or disturbing events.
These situations tend to have a huge influence on a person’s life. Fundamental changes can result, ranging from one’s worldview to daily routine.
Trauma can occur in response to a single event, or it can be the result of exposure to multiple events. Psychological trauma is often associated with physical injury, but it can also occur without any physical harm.
Trauma exposure is actually quite common. At least 50% of people experience at least one traumatic event (1).
Trauma Synonym
Words that describe aspects of psychological trauma include:
Disturbing
Overwhelming
Alarming
Shocking
Excruciating
The Signs And Symptoms
The symptoms of psychological trauma vary from person to person, ranging from mild to severe. Some common symptoms include:
Shock, denial, or disbelief
Anger, irritability, mood swings
Guilt, shame, self-blame
Feeling sad or hopeless
Confusion, difficulty concentrating
Anxiousness, worry, restlessness
Flashbacks or nightmares
Insomnia or sleep problems
Edginess and agitation
Muscle tension or aches and pains
Startle reactions
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you must seek help. Psychological trauma can have a lasting impact on your mental and physical health, but there are treatments available that can help you recover.
PTSD
Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that represents a specific set of symptoms and effects following a traumatic event. This diagnosable condition requires expert, professional treatment.
A widely-accepted theory of PTSD is that traumatic events result in a sense of ongoing danger. This state leaves a person anxious and hyper-alert to potential threats (2).
The symptoms of PTSD can be divided into four main categories:
Re-experiencing the event: This can include intrusive thoughts or images, flashbacks, and nightmares.
Avoidance: This can involve avoiding people, places, or things that serve as reminders of the event.
Negative changes in mood and thinking: This can entail feeling hopelessness, feeling detached from others, and having negative outlooks on life in general.
Changes in physical and emotional reactions: This can encompass being easily startled, feeling tense or on edge, and experiencing problems with sleep.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to seek professional help.
PTSD is a relatively common condition. Women (9.7%) are more likely to experience PTSD in their lifetime than men (3.6%) (3).
Why are some people more susceptible than others to PTSD?
There is no single answer to this question. Both biological and psychological factors are thought to contribute to PTSD. Risk factors range from gender (female) early life adversity, and other mental illnesses to low social support and educational attainment (4).
What are the treatments for psychological trauma and PTSD?
The most effective treatment for psychological trauma and PTSD is psychotherapy.
Psychotherapy is a type of therapy that involves talking with a mental health professional about your experiences and symptoms. There are different types of psychotherapy available. However, the aims are often to help you understand your condition and provide you with tools to manage your symptoms.
There are several different types of psychological treatments for PTSD. The most effective approaches are EMDR and Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) (5).
What are examples of PTSD lyrics?
PTSD can be a difficult thing to put into words, but some artists have been able to capture the experience in their music. Here are some examples of PTSD lyrics:
- "I'm not the same, I'm damaged" (Demi Lovato, "Warrior")
- "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger" (Kelly Clarkson, "Stronger")
- "You can't run from yourself" (Macklemore, "Shadow")
- "I'm trying to find my way back home" (Dua Lipa, "Home")
These lyrics show that despite the challenges of living with PTSD, it is possible to find hope and strength.
Summary
Many people experience traumatic events at some point, but some people develop serious distress. Psychological trauma and PTSD are serious psychological conditions that require expert treatment from experienced practitioners. Thankfully, effective treatments are available. You should seek professional support if experiencing any of the symptoms outlined above.
Further reading:
Bessel van der Kolk’s book ‘The Body Keeps The Score’ is a helpful and well-known book on psychological trauma.
We are Coaching & Clinical Psychologists with extensive experience helping people conquer a range of wellbeing and performance issues at home and in the workplace. We can also help with psychological trauma. Read more about our work, watch practical skills videos or browse other articles. Get in touch anytime.
References
(1) Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (US). Trauma-Informed Care in Behavioral Health Services. Rockville (MD): Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US); 2014. (Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series, No. 57.) Section 1, A Review of the Literature.
(2) Ehlers, A., & Clark, D. M. (2000). A cognitive model of posttraumatic stress disorder. Behaviour research and therapy, 38(4), 319–345. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0005-7967(99)00123-0
(3) Kessler, R.C., Chiu, W.T., Demler, O., Merikangas, K.R., & Walters, E.E. (2005). Prevalence, severity, and comorbidity of 12-month DSM-IV disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Archives of General Psychiatry, 62(6): 617-627.
(4) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559129/
(5) Mendes, D. D., Mello, M. F., Ventura, P., Passarela, C., & Mari, J. (2008). A systematic review on the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder. International journal of psychiatry in medicine, 38(3), 241–259. https://doi.org/10.2190/PM.38.3.b
