Psychological Trauma: its Effects On Life’s Choices

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Understanding psychological trauma is a crucial self-help study that everyone should pursue.

A thorough understanding of this phenomenon will enable one to examine his or her own life for signs of trauma as well as gain insight into the behavioral patterns of others.

What is psychological trauma

Trauma is a highly emotional event that is frequently life-changing or life-threatening.
It is a type of stress that occurs as a result of being exposed to a potentially dangerous or harmful event, such as a natural disaster, a car accident, or sexual assault.
The event may be so intense that the person experiencing it feels as if they are in a state of shock.
It can also be brought on by a situation that is so dreadful that it threatens a person’s very sense of well-being.

Primary causes of trauma

There are many primary causes of trauma, some of them include:

Personal experiences: Traumatic events that take place during childhood tend to have the most lasting impact on one’s life.

• The experience of abuse is one example of this. Being abused physically or sexually as a child is a very personal experience. It is a one-on-one encounter between a victim and their assailant. It can also be a terrifying experience that leaves one feeling violated.

Interpersonal experiences: Traumatic events that occur between people, such as witnessing violence or being the victim of a crime, can be very impactful.

• These types of trauma tend to be more common in certain situations such as during wartime.

Life transitions: Many people experience trauma during times of major life transitions such as moving away from home, first love, marriages, births, deaths, etc.

• This is often due to feelings of insecurity, helplessness, and being overwhelmed.

Beliefs and attitudes: Negative beliefs and attitudes often contribute to the experience of trauma. They can be biological determinants that are inherited or learned through social influences.

• For example, someone who has been abused as a child may come to associate sex with fear or pain. This selective trauma can then be reactivated during sexual encounters.

Mental disorders: Some people are also diagnosed with a mental disorder at the same time they are subjected to trauma.

• Instances include Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Depression, and Anxiety disorders. People who have these conditions are often misunderstood because their symptoms can also be attributed to the trauma that triggered them. For example, someone who is clinically depressed may also have a low mood that is triggered by negative life events. They may also overeat or have difficulty focusing due to their low mood.

About childhood trauma

Childhood trauma is any event that is experienced by a child that is out of the ordinary, scary, or overwhelming.

It can happen to anyone and is frequently caused by biological or societal factors that predispose a child’s environment to trauma.

Three of the most common childhood traumas include:

1. Physical abuse: Any act that causes injury to a child’s body is considered physical abuse. This can include beating, burning, punching, kicking, or any other form of cruelly punishing the body.
2. Sexual abuse: Sexual abuse is defined as any act that causes sexual arousal or gratification in a child without the consent of the other person. Exposure to explicit sexual materials, sexual touching, or forced sexual intercourse can all fall under this category.
3. Neglect: Neglect occurs when a child’s basic needs are not being met, such as hunger, thirst, or being clothed. This can also involve medical needs such as regular visits to the doctor. There are also other forms of neglect encompassing all the other things that are left undone for a child, such as ensuring basic safety or security or providing emotional support.

Effects of psychological trauma on life’s choices

People who have experienced psychological trauma often have a different outlook on life.

They may be more likely to:

• Experience symptoms of psychological trauma: PTSD, Anxiety, Depression, and substance abuse are all more likely to occur in people who have experienced psychological trauma.

• People who have experienced psychological trauma frequently have different core beliefs than those who have not. This includes things like how one should act, what is important, and so on.

• People who have experienced psychological trauma frequently have a different set of relationships than those who have not. Bonding with animals, a desire for one-on-one relationships, or an attraction to riskier people is all examples of this.

• Psychological trauma victims frequently have different job options than non-victims. This could include a willingness to accept a lower-paying or longer-hours job, as well as a preference for less prestigious or safer jobs.

Related: All you need to succeed is the ‘seed within‘

Five (5) tips for recovering from psychological trauma

Trauma is a serious condition that can alter one’s mental state and cause significant problems in one’s life. It is important to remember that trauma is a natural response to a threatening situation.

This means that it is possible to recover from trauma. Although the experience of trauma is often awful, it can also teach valuable lessons that help one grow and gain insight into his/her choices in life.

The following are some important tips to keep in mind while attempting to overcome the effects of psychological trauma.

1. Examine one’s own life: Spend time examining your own life and how you respond to stress. Pay attention to any patterns that show up. These could be triggers, defenses, or coping mechanisms that are keeping you stuck.
2. Cognitive-behavioral therapy: CBT is a psychotherapy that has been clinically proven to be effective in treating many mental health conditions, including trauma. There are many types of CBT, and one of them is trauma therapy.
3. Movement: Movement is a crucial part of therapy for many reasons. It helps regulate stress and relaxes the body. It has also been clinically proven to reduce pain and improve sleep.
4. Encourage support: Show your support for those who have been affected by trauma by seeking out support yourself. Reach out to someone who understands what you’re going through, such as a therapist, friend, or family member.
5. Keep an open mind: Many people who have overcome a trauma say that the experience changed their life and allowed them to see things from a different perspective. This can also be said for positive experiences, such as overcoming a fear of public speaking.

Conclusion

Anyone, at any time, can experience trauma. It can result from a variety of factors, including being a victim of a natural disaster, being a victim of crime, witnessing violence, or being mistreated by others. Trauma can also happen during childhood, which is common for people who have been abused or neglected.

Trauma can have long-term consequences, and people who have been through it often have a different pattern of relationships, values, and choices than those who have not.

This article has given valuable information about the effects of trauma and how to overcome it.