Trauma is something unexpected that causes a great deal of distress and that overwhelms a person’s ability to cope. What matters most when it comes to the impact of trauma is the person’s interpretation of the event, rather than the nature of the event itself. Trauma can be a single event (for example, a road traffic accident) or a series of events (for example, domestic abuse). Trauma affects people in different ways. People who have survived trauma often perceive the world and other people as dangerous, feel unsafe, become avoidant and experience high levels of anxiety. Trauma can also have a negative effect on people’s relationships, their mood, sleep and self-worth. Making sense of trauma can take time, however recovery is possible.
Trauma is something unexpected that causes a great deal of distress and that overwhelms a person’s ability to cope. What matters most when it comes to the impact of trauma is the person’s interpretation of the event, rather than the nature of the event itself. Trauma can be a single event (for example, a road traffic accident) or a series of events (for example, domestic abuse). Trauma affects people in different ways. People who have survived trauma often perceive the world and other people as dangerous, feel unsafe, become avoidant and experience high levels of anxiety. Trauma can also have a negative effect on people’s relationships, their mood, sleep and self-worth. Making sense of trauma can take time, however recovery is possible.
If you have experienced a traumatic event, you’re not alone. Unfortunately, trauma is prevalent in our society. An estimated 1 in 5 adults have experienced physical or sexual abuse during childhood.
It’s common to experience a range of different emotions following a trauma event
Avoiding things that relate to or remind you of a traumatic event is a common way of managing the impact of trauma
The way that you see yourself, other people and the world can change after a trauma
Some people increase their use of alcohol or substances following a trauma. This is often an attempt to block out painful memories, thoughts or feelings related to the trauma
Unwanted thoughts, nightmares and vivid images that intrude into your mind uninvited are all common responses to trauma.
Feeling on edge or on high alert is also a common response to trauma. This can include feeling jumpy, jittery, shaky, easily startled, or having trouble concentrating or sleeping
When a loved one goes through a traumatic event, it can be hard to know what you can do or how you can help. It’s important to know that everyone responds and makes sense of trauma differently, and can have different needs
Following a traumatic event, your brain can stay in survival mode and the alarm can keep on ringing. This can make it difficult to use the thinking part of your brain to make sense of trauma.
Recovering from the impact of trauma takes time. Everybody heals at their own pace and in their own way. But if months have passed since the events and your trauma reaction is getting in the way of your everyday life, you may need to get professional help.
This video was designed to be relevant to the Scottish workforce in understanding how trauma affects people and how we can all work together to make a positive difference to people affected by trauma and adversity.
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Here’s a self-help guide prepared by NHS Inform. It aims to help you understand the experience of trauma, make sense of it, manage reactions to traumatic experiences and decide if you need further help.
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If you feel tense a lot of the time, you can try learning some relaxation skills, as these should be helpful.
If you, or someone you know, is in crisis and in imminent danger of causing harm to themselves or others, call 999 immediately
