Trauma can be described as an abrupt shift in physical experience that elicits similar shifts in mental experience. In other words, a sudden and unexpected threat to the physical body will result in sudden shift in mental processing. This shift tends to be dissociative in nature. It is seen as an adaptive response that protect us by distancing us from pain and fear. Unfortunately, this shift prevents us from the natural processing of the event.

Sometimes trauma is obvious (car, motorbike, train, or other accident, abuse (physical, emotional, or sexual) witnessing domestic abuse, bullying, assault or rape, natural disasters (fire, flood, earthquake), death or suicide of a family member or friend, …) but sometimes it’s not so obvious, or the trauma has taken place so early that it is not remembered or has been pushed out of the mind. However, it can still have an impact on the way one think, feel or behave, resulting in symptoms such as anxiety, depression, irritability, anger, guilt, low self-esteem, and behavioral problems. 

The brain processes traumatic experiences and memories in a different way to normal ones. With ordinary experiences the information flows from the senses to the brain, where it is registered and processed into a memory. This is basically a mix of facts, impressions and interpretations. 

In the case of experiences involving fear, helplessness or life threatening situations, the body and brain respond in a different way. The original disturbing images, thoughts, sounds and feelings are registered in a raw, unprocessed form and become “stuck” in the mind and body.

When these memories are recalled they can be very upsetting. Sometimes they can be triggered by reminders (sounds, images, smells, situations) or can also appear “out of the blue”, causing flashbacks, nightmares and overwhelming feelings.

PTSD can be described as an intense, prolonged, sometimes delayed and abnormal response to stressful and traumatic situations. It tends to be the result of experiencing natural disaster (earthquakes, flooding etc.), man-made disaster (fires, war, terrorism, accidents, rape, abuse, assault, etc.), prolonged periods of psychological stress (bullying, emotional abuse, etc.) or learning of the sudden death or serious injury of someone close. 

Studies have shown that not everyone exposed to a particular stressor will develop PTSD.

PTSD can occur at any age and the duration of the symptoms are variable, with most cases being resolved within a few months, and some cases will persist for many years. The onset of the disorder is also variable with some cases manifesting very soon after the event and others appearing several months or years later. 

PTSD Symptomology:

Persisent anxiety, irritability, insomnia, poor concentration, flashbacks, recurring distressing dreams, difficulty in recalling stressful events at will, avoidance or reminders of the event, diminished interest in activity, detachement, inability to feel emotions, numbness, depersonalisation, derealisation, depression, aggressive behaviour, excessive use of alcohol, excessive use of prescription or recreational drugs, high risk behaviours, reckless driving, self-harm, suicidal thoughts.