TRAUMA
By Ellen E. Grant, PhD, LCSW
This article will talk about TRAUMA. I chose this topic because at some point in our lives-perhaps even several times, we will All be impacted by some form of trauma. Trauma knows no sex, creed, color, religion, ethnicity, income level and so on.
Ellen E. Grant, PhD, LCSW
The basic definition of TRAUMA? The Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration -known as SAMHSA states-
“SAMHSA describes individual trauma as an event or circumstance resulting in physical harm, emotional harm, and/or life-threatening harm.
Individual trauma results from an event, series of events, or set of circumstances that is experienced by an dividual as physically or emotionally harmful or life threatening and that has lasting adverse effects on the individual’s functioning and mental, physical, social, emotional, or spiritual well-being”.
I’m enclosing this definition because it was what I was taught in my early training as a therapist.
However, in more recent years as I’ve continued my training, I learned there are several types of trauma. Not just the trauma experienced by being shot by gunfire, seeing a loved one or citizen shot by trauma, sexual abuse- I’d also include weather events such as fires, tornados, etc. that cause loss of housing, employment, all can traumatize an individual.
In sum, any disturbing experience that results in significant fear, helplessness, confusion, or other disruptive feelings intense enough to have a long-lasting negative effect on a person’s attitudes, behavior, and other aspects of functioning.
The anguish experienced after significant loss, usually the death of a beloved person. Grief is often distinguished from bereavement and mourning.
Please know there is a difference between GRIEF & TRAUMA.
Trauma is a response to a distressing event-a threat to body & life. Trauma can be seen as a loss of control over an event-bad weather, a car accident, unforeseen illness. You may be in a car accident and lose your car, have some trauma but hopefully not have long lasting grief over the loss of this “thing”.
In the extreme, I give as an example the Trauma our community experienced as a result of the TOPS SHOOTINGS. I was the Deputy Mayor at the time and experienced some of this trauma, as well as so many caring citizens in our community and beyond.
The American Psychological Association (APA)provides this definition of GRIEF.
“Grief often includes physiological distress, separation anxiety, confusion, yearning, obsessive dwelling on the past, and apprehension about the future. Intense grief can become life-threatening through disruption of the immune system, self-neglect, and suicidal thoughts. Grief may also take the form of regret for something lost, remorse for something done, or sorrow for a mishap to oneself”.
Grief is the emotional response to loss. Families who lost loved ones or had loved ones injured as a result of the TOPS SHOOTINGS went through unimaginable grief such as loss of control can leave one feeling helpless because there was no way to predict the event.
This grief can be identified as grief from LOSS-loss of a home, a job, grief for having an argument with a loved one, grief because you got into a physical fight, stole something, as example. Grief can present from time to time- there is no real timeline for example-every Thanksgiving you remember your Mom’s turkey dressing or Uncle Thurmond’s silly dancing every time he had a couple drinks.
Grief goes through various stages -from Denying the event happened- “NO! She’s not dead!” refusing to accept the death of this loved one. Anger -physical fighting with the person who brings you the sad news; Depression- crying for long periods of time, not getting out of bed, refusing to eat for days until perhaps you come to realize the loved one is really gone and begin to accept it.
Grief has no formula for how each individual deals with the event. You may move through your grief stages in a couple weeks. Your Aunt may take months to get back to being the Aunt you know. Also, the grief may go away for a while and then return, but perhaps in a lesser amount. The brain still has many layers under research so I can’t confirm how long the grief period will linger. You also may feel you’re fine and then be in a situation where the trauma is “triggered”. For example, you hear of a neighbor being shot & you “re-live” those same strong feelings from your own relative’s fatal injury.
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO CONTINUE TO REGAIN CONTROL, HEAL FROM THE TRAUMA OR GRIEF
Talk to a Therapist or trusted person, your Pastor or someone who’s experienced a similar situation to see how they “healed”.
Remember 988- the Emergency Crisis 24hr./ 7day a week line where you can talk to someone confidentially.
GOOGLE -Mental Health Services in Buffalo, NY
In my own experience of losing loved ones, physical activity has helped me immensely running, yoga, long walks-find what could work for you.
I have also done some daily journaling (brief notes) about how I’ve been feeling. For example, “still reliving the issue, but better today.” You’ll be surprised that if you look back over your notes a month from now, you will find you’re feeling much better. The brain is in control of your thoughts.
Music has healing power-choose your vibe.
Get enough sleep and eat nutritious foods. (Be careful not to load up on snacks like chips, candy, other sweets. Though these have a “feel good” effect initially-you’ll feel sluggish later-not to mention weight gain).
Do not use alcohol and or non-prescribed drugs to relax. Please always consult a doctor to see if you need medication like an anti-anxiety drug or similar medication.
On your healing journey from the trauma, you will never completely ERASE the trauma, but hopefully, over time learn to deal with it.
In closing, GRIEF or TRAUMA in life will happen, but you can CHOOSE TO LIVE with a renewed purpose- run for election, donate to a cause, tutor, as you continue your healing journey.