Psychological trauma: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 23:28, 11 December 2024

A type of damage to the mind that occurs as a result of a severely distressing event

Psychological trauma is a type of damage to the mind that occurs as a result of a severely distressing event. Trauma is often the result of an overwhelming amount of stress that exceeds one's ability to cope or integrate the emotions involved with that experience. Trauma may result from a single distressing experience or recurring events of being overwhelmed that can be precipitated in weeks, years, or even decades as the person struggles to cope with the immediate circumstances, eventually leading to serious, long-term negative consequences.

Causes

Psychological trauma can be caused by a wide variety of events, but there are a few common aspects. There is frequently a violation of the person's familiar ideas about the world and their human rights, putting the person in a state of extreme confusion and insecurity. This is often seen when institutions upon which the person depended for survival betray or disillusion the person in some unforeseen way.

Common sources of trauma include:

Symptoms

The symptoms of psychological trauma can vary widely between individuals, but there are some common signs and symptoms that may indicate a person is experiencing trauma. These can include:

Intrusive thoughts or memories of the event
Nightmares
Flashbacks
Emotional numbness
Avoidance of reminders of the trauma
Hyperarousal (e.g., being easily startled, feeling tense or "on edge")
Difficulty sleeping
Irritability or outbursts of anger
Difficulty concentrating

Diagnosis

Diagnosing psychological trauma typically involves a comprehensive assessment by a mental health professional. This may include a detailed interview to understand the individual's history, symptoms, and the impact of the trauma on their life. Various diagnostic tools and questionnaires may be used to assess the severity and nature of the trauma.

Treatment

Treatment for psychological trauma often involves psychotherapy, which can help individuals process and integrate the traumatic experience. Common therapeutic approaches include:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Trauma-focused therapy
Group therapy
Medication may also be prescribed to help manage symptoms such as anxiety, depression, or sleep disturbances.

Prevention

While it is not always possible to prevent trauma, certain strategies can help reduce the risk or mitigate the impact of traumatic events. These include:

Building strong social support networks
Developing healthy coping mechanisms
Seeking professional help early when experiencing distress
Promoting resilience through education and community programs

Also see

References

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-'''Psychological trauma''' is a type of damage to the mind that occurs as a result of a distressing event that exceeds the individual's ability to cope or emotionally process the event, leading to serious, potentially long-term negative consequences.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Levine|first1=Peter A.|title=Trauma and Memory: Brain and Body in a Search for the Living Past|journal=North Atlantic Books|year=2015|isbn=978-1583949948}}</ref>
+{{Short description|A type of damage to the mind that occurs as a result of a severely distressing event}}
-[[File:Letting the light shine through shining the light on childhood trauma in Ohio. - DPLA - 902569d79e6bf8948010e8dbfc2dcf01.jpg|thumb|Letting the light shine through shining the light on childhood trauma in Ohio. - DPLA - 902569d79e6bf8948010e8dbfc2dcf01]]
+{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
-== Clinical Presentation ==
+{{Psychology sidebar}}
-Psychological trauma can lead to a variety of symptoms, including intense fear, feelings of helplessness, re-experiencing the traumatic event (through nightmares or flashbacks), avoidance of reminders of the event, and persistent negative thoughts and mood.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Herman|first=Judith|title=Trauma and Recovery|publisher=Basic Books|year=1992|isbn=9780465098736}}</ref> These symptoms may interfere with the individual's daily life and functioning.
+'''Psychological trauma''' is a type of damage to the mind that occurs as a result of a severely distressing event. Trauma is often the result of an overwhelming amount of stress that exceeds one's ability to cope or integrate the emotions involved with that experience. Trauma may result from a single distressing experience or recurring events of being overwhelmed that can be precipitated in weeks, years, or even decades as the person struggles to cope with the immediate circumstances, eventually leading to serious, long-term negative consequences.
-== Etiology and Risk Factors ==
+==Causes==
+Psychological trauma can be caused by a wide variety of events, but there are a few common aspects. There is frequently a violation of the person's familiar ideas about the world and their human rights, putting the person in a state of extreme confusion and insecurity. This is often seen when institutions upon which the person depended for survival betray or disillusion the person in some unforeseen way.
-Events that can lead to psychological trauma include, but are not limited to, abuse, natural disasters, severe illness or injury, the death of a loved one, and war or violent attacks. Not everyone who experiences a distressing event will develop trauma; individual resilience and coping mechanisms play a significant role. Risk factors include previous trauma, existing mental health disorders, and lack of a support system.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Charuvastra|first1=A|title=Psychological Mechanisms of PTSD and its Treatment|journal=Current Psychiatry Reports|volume=8|issue=5|pages=413–22|year=2006|pmid=16968636|doi=10.1007/s11920-006-0093-3}}</ref>
+Common sources of trauma include:
+* [[Child abuse]]
+* [[Sexual assault]]
+* [[Domestic violence]]
+* [[War]] and [[combat stress]]
+* [[Natural disasters]]
+* [[Accidents]]
+* [[Bullying]]
+* [[Medical trauma]]
-== Diagnosis ==
+==Symptoms==
+The symptoms of psychological trauma can vary widely between individuals, but there are some common signs and symptoms that may indicate a person is experiencing trauma. These can include:
+* Intrusive thoughts or memories of the event
+* Nightmares
+* Flashbacks
+* Emotional numbness
+* Avoidance of reminders of the trauma
+* Hyperarousal (e.g., being easily startled, feeling tense or "on edge")
+* Difficulty sleeping
+* Irritability or outbursts of anger
+* Difficulty concentrating
-Diagnosis of psychological trauma is based primarily on the presence of symptoms and the individual's clinical history. There are no specific tests to diagnose trauma; however, clinicians often use psychological assessments or diagnostic interviews to understand the nature and extent of the symptoms.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Bisson|first1=Jonathan I.|title=Post-traumatic stress disorder|journal=Occupational Medicine|volume=57|issue=6|pages=399–403|year=2007|pmid=17895208|doi=10.1093/occmed/kqm070}}</ref>
+==Diagnosis==
+Diagnosing psychological trauma typically involves a comprehensive assessment by a mental health professional. This may include a detailed interview to understand the individual's history, symptoms, and the impact of the trauma on their life. Various diagnostic tools and questionnaires may be used to assess the severity and nature of the trauma.
-== Treatment ==
+==Treatment==
+Treatment for psychological trauma often involves psychotherapy, which can help individuals process and integrate the traumatic experience. Common therapeutic approaches include:
+* [[Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)]]
+* [[Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)]]
+* [[Trauma-focused therapy]]
+* [[Group therapy]]
+* [[Medication]] may also be prescribed to help manage symptoms such as anxiety, depression, or sleep disturbances.
-Treatment for psychological trauma typically involves psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). In some cases, medication may be used to help manage associated symptoms, such as depression or anxiety.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Robert R.|first1=Edna B. Foa|title=Effective treatments for PTSD: practice guidelines from the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies|publisher=Guilford Press|year=2009|isbn=978-1-60623-001-5}}</ref>
+==Prevention==
+While it is not always possible to prevent trauma, certain strategies can help reduce the risk or mitigate the impact of traumatic events. These include:
+* Building strong social support networks
+* Developing healthy coping mechanisms
+* Seeking professional help early when experiencing distress
+* Promoting resilience through education and community programs
-== Prognosis ==
+==Also see==
+* [[Post-traumatic stress disorder]]
+* [[Acute stress reaction]]
+* [[Resilience (psychology)]]
+* [[Coping (psychology)]]
+* [[Mental health]]
+==References==
+{{Reflist}}
-* The prognosis for psychological trauma varies widely. Some individuals may recover fully with time and therapy, while others may experience symptoms for years or even a lifetime. The course of recovery depends on a variety of factors, including the severity and duration of the trauma, the individual's coping skills, and the presence of a supportive social network.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Charney|first1=Dennis S.|title=Psychobiological Mechanisms of Resilience and Vulnerability: Implications for Successful Adaptation to Extreme Stress|journal=American Journal of Psychiatry|volume=161|issue=2|pages=195–216|year=2004|pmid=14754765|doi=10.1176/appi.ajp.161.2.195}}</ref>
-{{stub}}
-== References ==
-<references />
 [[Category:Psychological trauma]]
-[[Category:Psychopathology]]
+[[Category:Mental health]]
-[[Category:Stress (biological and psychological)]]
+[[Category:Psychiatry]]
+[[Category:Psychology]]