There’s been a lot happening around the world lately, most of which have been traumatizing. Mental health support couldn’t have been more needed than now. But how do you identify signs of trauma and how do you deal once you become aware of them? When must you seek psychotherapy? Counseling Psychologist at Evolve Counsel, Julianna Asare-Amankwah, provides some clarity and guidance on this.
Is trauma always noticeable?
“Trauma can be either emotional or psychological or both and is usually the result of particularly stressful events that shatter your sense of security, leaves you struggling with upsetting emotions, memories and anxiety that will not go away. It makes you feel helpless,” she explains.
“One can sometimes forget the traumatic event itself but the symptoms [might] still remain. Sometimes, we may not even associate our loss of feeling secure to being traumatized,” she adds.
What are the signs?
Some ways of identifying trauma after experiencing a traumatizing event, according to Asare-Amankwah, include emotional or psychological symptoms such as shock, denial or disbelief, confusion, difficulty concentrating, anger, irritability, mood swings, guilt, shame, self-blame, withdrawal from others, feelings of hopelessness and sadness, feeling disconnected or numb. Physical Symptoms can be insomnia or nightmares, fatigue, easily startled, a racing heartbeat, aches and pains and muscle tension.
When to seek professional help
Asare-Amankwah recommends seeking professional help for trauma early in order to be better equipped with the right techniques to manage symptoms. If help is not sought early and you notice that the symptoms are seriously or negatively affecting your daily activities, then it’s time to see a professional.
However, if you choose to first wait it out, Asare-Amankwah suggests a few steps to take, although professional assistance is strongly recommended.
- Since trauma traps you in hyper-arousal and fear, exercise helps burn off the excess adrenaline and releases endorphins to repair the nervous system eg. walking, swimming, dancing or anything that is rhythmic involving both arms and legs.
- Mindfulness breathing exercises also help distract you from over-thinking by focusing on physical sensations and grounding you in the present.
- Force yourself to socialize even when you do not want to, isolation will make you feel worse.
- Volunteer to help someone through their trauma. This indirectly helps you work out your own issues.
- Ask for support, you do not have to talk about the traumatic experience if you do not want to but knowing help is available when you need it is reassuring.