A Traumatic Event is an incident that causes physical, emotional, spiritual, or psychological harm. The person experiencing the distressing event may feel physically threatened or extremely frightened as a result. Trauma has always been evident in our life. But, with mass shootings, horrific hurricanes, #Metoo, #Blacklivesmatter and #Stopasianhate, that brought sexual assault, merciless killings of Black & Asian people into mainstream conversation, we are seeing how intense emotional experiences can haunt people years later. Many experts think the COVID 19 pandemic and other scary current events will have long lasting effects as well. Trauma affects our body whether we are aware or not. Not every traumatized person develops post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Some people develop other mild symptoms, but they go away after a few weeks. This is called acute stress disorder (ASD). Some with PTSD don’t show symptoms for months after the event itself. And some people deal with PTSD symptoms of a traumatic experience for the rest of their life.
Symptoms of Trauma such as Anxiety, Nightmares, Insomnia and/or Depression can show up when we lease expect it. A recent study in the JAMA Internal medicine found that women who first experienced a traumatic sexual experience like Rape were more likely to suffer from endometriosis or other diseases later in life. Dr. James Gordon, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Family Medicine at Georgetown Medical School says . . ."Being in a stressful or Abusive relationship or work environment is Traumatic. So, is Losing someone you Love, having a serious Illness or facing Discrimination."
Seek Medical/Mental Health Help if You Need it!
Most people will experience a trauma at some point in their lives, and as a result, some will experience debilitating symptoms that interfere with daily life. The good news is that psychological interventions are effective in preventing many long-term effects.
Heal Your Trauma - Everyone responds differently to Treatments but there are some treatments worth discussing with your Medical provider. Meditation has been in and around our circle for many years and may help us think clearly. Some experts have said that Exercise and or Yoga can help us in so many ways. Then there is Mental health Support available in every city and country at little or no cost. Trauma has a powerful impact on the nervous system. Once the traumatic event is over, we can be fooled into thinking that we dodged the bullet. But, it has been known to show up again and again in our life.
About 29 years ago, I had a traumatic ambulance ride from a very bad auto accident that almost took away my ability to walk. It was two weeks in hospital, two surgeries, then home with a walker and a cast on my right leg. Thank God for Therapy and the Will to Be, because it took me six months of daily therapy to wear shoes again. And. . . you all know about my Love for Shooze. A year later it was two more braces, more therapy before I could Drive a car. In March of this year, I started having some discomfort in the same leg and the pain became unbearable after three weeks.
Back then, I was told by the attending surgeon that the Traumatic Injury to my leg/knee would show up in my senior years as a form of arthritis. Of course, I laughed it off because I was really walking and driving a stick shift car. Well, I am not laughing now. Once in awhile (depending on the weather) it is difficult to go upstairs to my room. But, I refuse to let this condition takeover my life. So, some adjustments were made and those 4 inch heels had to go to my younger Cousins. No. I did not give away all my shooze. I still have some sit-down shooze and replaced the high heels with wedges. I still have some sit-down shooze. All this to say. . . Trauma does linger and a traumatic event can ramp up to an extreme level later.
All I know is, that overcoming trauma can be painful, and we must do what is needed for a good quality of Life. We should not have to bear the burden alone. And, one day you will look back and say. . . I survived that. I kicked Trauma in the Ass. . . Because, I am Strong and can Handle whatever, whenever. . .
** Thanks for Visiting. This post is F Y E. I'm not a Physician nor a Mental Health Counselor, and NOT giving any advice here! I'm just a woman on this life journey. If you like this post, please comment & Email it to others. As with all subjects that have Health concerns, please Consult your Medical professional. Don’t forget to follow me on Bloglovin for new post updates, and on Pinterest. **
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