TRAUMA / PTSD
"The conflict between the will to deny horrible events and the will to proclaim them aloud is the central dialectic of psychological trauma." — Judith Lewis Herman
What is trauma?
A useful definition of trauma is: an occurrence that threatens the survival of our physical or psychological integrity. Many people will experience this at some stage in their lives. Trauma can result from accidents, the loss of a loved one, witnessing or being a victim of a criminal act, or experiencing serious emotional or physical abuse. It can arise from events that expose us to intense fear, whether in a few moments or over a prolonged period. If these things happen, we may experience the events traumatically.
Why am I suffering when others are not?
No two people experience the same event in the same way. How we respond depends on a combination of nature, nurture, and our current life circumstances. Our physical and psychological makeup plays a key role in how we process experiences. It's common to wonder why an event has such a profound effect on you but not on someone else—this is why. There is no weakness in this. Even highly resilient and successful people can be deeply affected by trauma.
What help is available?
Many people who experience trauma are able, over time, to reduce its psychological and physical effects and bounce back. For others, trauma can have deeper, longer-lasting effects, which may require support to recover. This is often where post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is relevant.
Therapy can help in several ways:
- Practical strategies to manage symptoms
- Building trust and a safe space for exploration
- Making sense of the traumatic event
- Integrating the experience into your life story in a way that reduces its harmful impact
Understanding the underlying process
Trauma can be thought of as a "natural response to an unnatural event." Under extreme stress, parts of the brain responsible for normal autobiographical memory can shut down, leaving memories fragmented, partial, or incomplete. This can lead to distressing symptoms such as intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, and strong feelings of anxiety or fear. Memories may be triggered by reminders such as loud noises or similar situations. Therapy can help process these memories safely.
The physical effects of trauma and PTSD are also significant. Traumatic experiences can affect brain structure, including reducing the function and size of regions responsible for regulating fight/flight/freeze responses. Research shows therapy can positively influence these changes. I've explored this further in my blog post "It's not brain surgery… is it?" (June 17).
Trauma & Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Trauma is a response to events that are deeply distressing or threatening. This can include experiences such as accidents, assaults, abuse, natural disasters, or other situations where you felt unsafe or overwhelmed. For some, trauma can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), where the effects of the event continue to impact daily life long after it has passed.
Common features of trauma and PTSD include:
- Intrusive thoughts or flashbacks of the event
- Nightmares or disturbed sleep
- Strong emotional reactions or mood swings
- Heightened alertness or startle responses
- Avoidance of people, places, or activities that trigger memories
- Feelings of guilt, shame, or self-blame
- Difficulty concentrating or remembering things
- Physical symptoms such as tension, headaches, or digestive issues
Trauma affects both the mind and body. It can change how you perceive safety and trust, impacting relationships, work, and everyday functioning. PTSD develops when the natural process of recovering from a traumatic event is disrupted, often leading to persistent distress, hypervigilance, or emotional numbness.
Why therapy helps:
Therapy provides a safe, structured environment to process trauma, explore its impact, and begin to regain control over thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. Therapy can help you:
- Understand and reframe traumatic memories
- Reduce the intensity of intrusive thoughts and flashbacks
- Learn strategies to manage stress and anxiety
- Rebuild a sense of safety, trust, and confidence
Supporting yourself while recovering from trauma:
- Acknowledge your experience and allow yourself to feel your emotions without judgment
- Maintain routines and small daily activities to restore a sense of stability
- Practice grounding techniques such as focusing on your breath, body, or surroundings
- Reach out to trusted friends, family, or support groups
- Avoid self-blame—trauma is never your fault
Recovery from trauma is possible, though it may take time. Therapy can support you in regaining a sense of safety, reducing distressing symptoms, and reconnecting with life.