Emotional trauma is our reaction to a severe threat involving death, injury or violation (the threat can be towards you or someone close to you). Witnessing such events creates feelings of fear, horror, hopelessness and emotional pain.
Most people recover well within a few weeks of a single traumatic event without counselling or medication. However, in some cases of extreme trauma, or for people who have experienced repeated or multiple traumas, counselling and / or medication may be helpful.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a more complex reaction to trauma that is disruptive to normal living. PTSD can be effectively treated with counselling and / or medication.
WHAT CAUSES EMOTIONAL TRAUMA / PTSD?
A person may experience trauma if they suffer or witness:
- a severe threat to life or a violent or sudden death (an accident, war, natural disaster, violence)
- rape, or ongoing or previous abuse (verbal / physical / sexual)
- a serious injury or the diagnosis of a serious / terminal illness
- a major and sudden loss (of home, family, security, lifestyle)
A trauma response can be experienced whether a threat is real or perceived. The level of trauma experienced varies depending on a person’s age, their relationship to the abuser (if there is one), the level of ‘horror’ or violence witnessed etc.
HOW CAN EMOTIONAL TRAUMA / PTSD BE ADDRESSED IN COUNSELLING?
If you are experiencing emotional trauma counselling can provide:
- psychological first aid (up to 2 weeks after a traumatic event)
- coping skills to reduce anxiety and help with relaxation (2 to 4 weeks following a traumatic event)
Longer term support can be provided through:
- Narrative Exposure Therapy to reduce the symptoms of trauma
- Cognitive Behavioural or Schema Therapy to help you change negative thoughts and beliefs
- Inter-Personal Therapy to improve relationships
- Brief Psychodynamic Therapy to tap into childhood experiences
- The development of healthy coping skills (exercise, diet, finding meaning, reaching out to friends and social networks)
WHAT ARE THE COMMON SYMPTOMS OF EMOTIONAL TRAUMA AND PTSD?
Following a trauma you may experience:
- hyperarousal / being easily startled / feeling on edge
- fear / anxiety / phobias / guilt / shame / anger
- depression / diminished interest in daily activities
- vivid memories of the traumatic event
- sleeping difficulties / nightmares
- poor concentration / confusion / forgetfulness
- social withdrawal / avoidance of reminders of the trauma
- heart palpitations / high blood pressure / headaches /sudden sweating / loss of libido / susceptibility to illness
With complex trauma or PTSD you might experience:
- difficulty managing your emotional responses / aggression
- persistent hyper-arousal / being easily startled / feeling on-edge
- intrusive memories / flashbacks that make you feel as though you are reliving the traumatic event
- dissociation / loss of awareness of surroundings
- amnesia
- negative thoughts / loss of meaning, value, purpose
- difficulty trusting
- feelings of abandonment, hopelessness or disempowerment
WHEN TO SEEK HELP FROM YOUR DOCTOR?
Please see your doctor if you have experienced trauma and you:
- believe you may be suffering from PTSD
- experience intrusive memories / flashbacks / feelings of dissociation / loss of awareness of your surroundings
- experience physical symptoms of stress or trauma
- would like information on how medication might be able to help you, or to change / stop medication for any mental health issue
IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING RECURRING THOUGHTS OF SUICIDE
Please call the Samaritans of Singapore for support:
