Trauma,
Acute Stress, and Posttraumatic Stress
Psychological trauma can result from exposure to many kinds of stimuli. Causes of psychological trauma may include:
- Sexual Assault (e.g. Rape, Child Molestation, Sexual Battery)
- Incest
- Robbery
- Arson
- Assault (e.g. Shootings, Stabbings, Beatings, Domestic Assault, Child Abuse)
- Accidents (e.g. Automobile Accidents, Plane Crashes, Nautical Accidents, Falls, Industrial Accidents)
- Loss of a Body Part or Function
- Witnessing Traumatic Events
- Being the Relative or Loved One of a Person Who was Affected by a Traumatic Event (Vicarious Traumatization)
- Torture
- Terrorist Activities
- Death Related Trauma
- Natural Disasters (e.g. Hurricanes, Earthquakes, Tornados, Fires, Floods)
- War
- Suicide
- Homicide
- Death of a Parent
| Traumatic Stress is the ordinary response of a normal person to an extraordinary event. Sometimes, an individual's response to a traumatic event overwhelms his or her ability to cope with it. Fortunately there are effective therapies that can help. |  |
- Who can be affected?
- Anyone exposed to an actual or potential life threatening event
- Police Officers
- Firefighters
- Paramedic/Emergency Medical Personnel
- Physicians
- Nurses
- Disaster Workers
- Military Personnel
- Bereaved Children
- Crime Victims
- Witnesses of Traumatic Events
- Accident Victims
- Caregivers
- Loved Ones of All of the Above
- Symptoms of Traumatic Stress can include:
- Recurrent Memories of the Trauma
- Nightmares
- Emotional Numbing
- Depression
- Lack of Pleasure in Once Pleasurable Activities
- "Survivor Guilt"
- Increased Irritability
- Sleep Disturbances
- Insomnia
- Inability to Relax
- Increased "Startle Response"
- Feeling "On Edge"
- Sense of Constant Threat
- Flashbacks
- Fear of Repetition of the Traumatic Event
- Avoidance of Reminders of the Event
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms in response to a stressful event in your or another person's life, you are not alone. There is help and hope.
For information on therapy for problems resulting from traumatic events, contact Stillwaters Counseling at (757) 404-3747 or email Jmoore@stillwaterscounseling.com