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Tags: health, wellness, mental health, emotional trauma
 Post Traumatic Stress Disorder— a condition sounding not as common, but the reality of it may not be so. Otherwise known as PTSD, the disorder besets those who had gone through traumatic experiences. "Trauma" is defined as an overwhelmingly stressful experience leaving a person feeling trapped, helpless and hopeless. He or she may feel incapacitated with their coping skills having been hampered.
It leaves the victim feeling stripped of their will or power of choice. It used to be that PTSD was primarily associated with combat veterans. Recently, however, it has been acknowledged that people of all ages and genders can suffer from it. Spouses or children who had been besieged by domestic abuse and violence could feel traumatized.
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Their emotional trauma can result to PTSD. Statistics cite that 70% of adults have had at least one traumatic experience in their lives. Interpersonal or community violence has directly affected 1 in 4 children by the time they reached the age of 18. Women are more prone to suffer from PTSD.
Twice as much of them experience the condition than men do. What are the consequences of psychological or emotional trauma? Consider those who have been diagnosed with mental health issues. Ninety percent of these individuals suffered from past emotional traumas. Mental health disorders such as bipolar disorder, ADHD, oppositional defiant disorder, depression and others have similar symptoms as those of psychological or emotional trauma.
These manifestations may include anxiety or agitation, hyperactivity, depression, being withdrawn, impulsive or obsessive. The same goes for being hypervigilant, angry or defensive, suffering from eating or sleeping disorders as well as suicidal tendencies. Other victims might resort to substance abuse as coping mechanism. A so-called emotional trauma can be a one- time or ongoing event.
Being abandoned or witnessing violence can cause trauma, causing symptoms to arise. Rape or sexual abuse, criminal offense, or physical abuse can also be emotionally traumatizing. Being subjected to totalitarian control or being shamed can traumatize a person. Parental “discipline” resorting to physical means can lead to child emotional trauma in the same manner.
In psychology, there is a term “victim blame” in which physical means is applied because the child is considered “hard headed”. This may cause emotional trauma to the latter as well. Adults or parents may respond to their own history of trauma by improving their approach in raising their children.
In many cases, however, emotional trauma or abuse is passed on from one generation to another. Other victims simply become numb or wallow in denial. If not given due treatment or attention, unresolved emotional trauma does not go away. Untreated or unresolved trauma can result to a person living a poor quality of life.
A “victim” must initially be aware that a state of constant emotional instability or unhappiness is unhealthy. That a functional, productive and happy life is possible for them if they begin to take charge, even if it means seeking professional help. PTSD treatment or healing from emotional trauma is possible.
The “victim” can be encouraged on naming the problem, or telling their experience in a safe context, with people they can trust. A healing theory can be developed, allowing the patient to gain control. Psychoeducation is also another powerful for treatment and healing. The patient can be educated on the impact of the traumatic experience on their growth, development and ability.
Feelings of powerlessness are decreased, along with empowering them and teaching them to be assertive. Individual or group therapy are means for overcoming traumas. Dialectical behavioral, grief groups or creative therapies can also aid a traumatized person towards recovery. But more than any treatment measure, genuine and sincere support remains to be the most vital element towards setting a person free from the grip of their traumatic experience.
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About the author
Dr. Rose Windale is a successful Health & Wellness Coach who has been advising and coaching individuals for many years. Rose now decided to share her knowledge through this site, Healthzine.org. You can sign up for her free weekly newsletter and learn how to become truly healthy and happy.
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