Psychological trauma is an “injury” resulting from directly experiencing, witnessing or hearing a distressing, disturbing, threatening or frightening event (Australian Psychology Society). Trauma can be a single event or multiple that can have adverse effects in a person’s cognitive, emotional, behavioral, physiological and occupational functioning (Perry, 1994). Multiple trauma can be complex trauma, developmental trauma or complex PTSD. Complex trauma is usually at an early onset, and the experience is multiple, chronic and prolonged exposure to traumatic events, mostly interpersonal in nature (Van der Kolk, 2005). We live in a complicated society where there is a potential risk to be exposed to a traumatic event. Surveys in Australia
The term “Psychological trauma” refers to damage wrought from a traumatic event, which that damages one’s ability to cope with stressors. “Trauma” is commonly defined as an exposure to a situation in which a person is confronted with an event that involves actual or threatened death or serious injury, or a threat to self or others’ physical well-being (American Psychiatric Association, 2000). Specific types of client trauma frequently encountered by which therapists and other mental health workers frequently encounter in a clinical setting include sexual abuse, physical , or sexual assault, natural disasters such as earthquakes or tsunamis, domestic violence, and school or/and work related violence (James & Gilliland, 2001). Traumatic
Trauma occurs when a child has experienced an event that threatens or causes harm to her emotional and physical well-being. Events can include war, terrorism, natural disasters, but the most common and harmful to a child’s psychosocial well-being are those such as domestic violence, neglect, physical and sexual abuse, maltreatment, and witnessing a traumatic event. While some children may experience a traumatic event and go on to develop normally, many children have long lasting implications into adulthood.
Deyoung, Scott R. Sponheim, Tricia L. Bender, Melissa A. Polusny, Christopher R. Erbes, and Paul A. Arbisi. "Predicting Post-traumatic Stress Disorder in Veterans: Interaction Of traumatic Load with COMT Gene Variation.") Women are more likely to develop the disorder than men, and there is some evidence that PTSD may run in families PTSD is prevalent among military veterans, who witnessed many severe stressors.
Early traces of some trauma theories and treatments can be attributed to experts such as Freud, Lidz, Ling, and others. Today, we appreciate the breakdown and specifics of the types of trauma. While generalizations about trauma remain, there are standardizations with which trauma is defined. Trauma can be defined as a unique, unusual, overwhelming, and subjective human experience which threatens safety and/or life, producing fear, terror, and/or helplessness caused by extrinsic agents. Types of trauma are generally labeled by the resulted injury, developmental age of the person, frequency, intensity, and cause of the trauma. The list of the types of trauma include physical, psychological, sexual,
According to the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, posttraumatic (post-traumatic) stress disorder is defined as direct or threatened exposure to death, serious injury or sexual violence (5th ed.; DSM-5; APA, 2013). There are many symptoms that accompany the diagnostic criteria, however, they do not seem to encapsulate the whole experience of trauma and its affects on individuals’ daily lives. Therefore, scholars have supported a broader conceptualization of trauma that includes an ecosystemic understanding, acknowledges the complex sources of traumatic experiences, and the ways in which culture may mediate responses and reactions to trauma (Goodman, 2013; Kira,
In psychology, trauma is a damage to the mind that occurs because of a severely distressing event. It is a normal human response to an abnormal 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 occurs when a person is overwhelmed by something beyond their control, while depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. It is a condition of general emotional dejection, withdrawal, sadness greater and more prolonged than that warranted by any objective reason.
Gunshot wound, stabbing, motor vehicle accident, major burns, or a serious fall and one will find themselves on the way to the nearest trauma center. Whether it be by helicopter or ambulance, paramedic and nurses will be providing critical, life sustaining care for the patient until arrival at the trauma center. In Omaha, Nebraska there are two level I trauma centers; CHI Health Creighton University Medical Center Bergan Mercy and the University of Nebraska Medical Center~ Nebraska Medicine. Children’s Hospital and Medical Center is also a licensed level II trauma center located in Omaha, Nebraska specializing in pediatric trauma.
Experiencing a traumatic event can cause physical, emotional, or psychological harm. Traumatic events can be a variety of experiences, from the death of a loved one to illness or divorce.
Trauma is when an individual experiences an extremely stressful event that leaves a helpless and emotionally out of control feeling. Trauma can alter an individual’s behavior, this can leave an individual unable to trust others, disconnected, and feeling numb. Trauma resort from multiple sources such as sexual, physical, or verbal abuse, neglect, bulling, serious illness and separation from parent. Trauma can leave an individual to struggle with unstable emotions, memory loss, and anxiety for a large part of their lives.
All the cranial nerves are intact, except that the patient has decreased sensation in all extremities. I could not find the pulse on her both feet. In this case, a Doppler would have been used to listen to the pedal pulse. Also, cranial nerve five, which is also known as the facial nerve was not tested, because the patient complained of pain in the jaw. She also expressed difficulties opening her mouth111111111111 There are two distinguishing wounds on the patient, the first one is on the right buttock cheek which is about 3cm long from 12 O clock to 6 O clock and 2 cm wide from 3 O clock to 9 O clock. The smaller wound is located on the right thigh and its 2cm by 2cm. Surgical incision scar is located silently above the umbilical and it's about seven inches long from 12 O
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing.
“Complex psychological trauma is defined as resulting from exposure to severe stressors that (1) are repetitive and prolonged, (2) involve harm or abandonment by caregivers…a responsible adult, and (3) occur at developmentally vulnerable times in the victims’ life, such as early childhood or adolescence” (Courtois & Ford C. A., 2009, p.13). Jim experienced prolonged physical and psychological abuse and witnessed IVP between his parents until the age of 14. The abuse by his father continued until he was 18. His entire childhood, he had to live in a place of fear, he was vulnerable, unsure of how he would be treated, and likely felt helpless. As a result, he did not form a secure attachment to his parents, did not learn healthy coping mechanisms, and had to adapt to the unsafe environment and desired an attachment to his parent/s.
Sexual is similar to combat trauma, like combat trauma, in both events there damage done to the brain and body in both men and women. During the moment of attack, the victim goes into “fight or flight” response. During this time the sympathetic nervous system engages and stimulates a flood of cortisol throughout the system, which elevates blood pressure, heart rate, prompting sweating and hyper-aroused sensory state. This response occurs when danger is sensed. Because the victim of sexual trauma is temporarily rendered helpless to fight or flee, he is overwhelmed; his ordinary adaptations of life break down (Herman, 1992, 1997). The most fundamental psychological element of trauma is a feeling of “intense fear, helplessness, loss of control,
In this journal article, the author explains how trauma influences global security, heightening insecurity specifically, not only immediately but also for many years and generations later (1837). Schick focuses on the idea of acting out and working through trauma and the effect of this on not only individuals, but groups mourning as well (1839). The author also touches on the idea that trauma can be difficult to explain in words, so often times non-verbal, artistic expressions can be helpful (1848).
The evolving aspects of what amounts to Trauma presents a complex situation to all the stakeholders involved. New elements are being added to the definition of Trauma. Traditionally, trauma was described as any event that could not be predicted. In addition to the difficulty in prediction, the event had to be overwhelming and prolonged. The event always takes the orientation of imminent danger that may or may not occur. This event can occur to any person at any age. For this reason, definition of trauma keeps on evolving as per the dynamics that keep affecting human life. It also can manifest itself on either emotional or psychological approaches. Despite the complexity surrounding the definition of trauma, it can generally be described as either the emotional or psychological response an individual has over a certain happening which is negative in nature. This response results to devastating effects if not tamed early enough. However, if some has become a victim of trauma, treatment needs to follow immediately. This stems from the fact that nearly all types of trauma can be treated.