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The Causes of Emotional Trauma
Medical science has studied the causes and effects of emotional trauma for many decades - in men returning from war. It wasn't until the woman's movement in the 1960's that doctors realized the traumatic experiences of women can also cause emotional trauma. That's about the time that "shell shock" became post-traumatic stress disorder. Medically, the 1990's became the "decade of the brain" and much more is understood about emotional trauma and its causes.
The Emotional Toll
Science was a bit taken aback when it was discovered that it is not the event that causes emotional trauma, but the way it's experienced. This gives trauma experienced emotionally something in common with trauma experienced physically. It isn't how far you fall that matters; it's how hard you land. For most people, the experience that leads to emotional trauma has three things in common: it was not expected, the victim was not prepared and there was nothing the person could do to prevent it.
Brain scan studies have revealed that emotional trauma changes the brain's structure and function. So it isn't "all in your mind." It is really in your brain. This is an important finding, since it places emotional trauma in the realm of physical illness. In the past, those who suffered emotional distress could feel embarrassed about the problem. Many were unable to seek the necessary help because of this and some found no sympathy from family and friends.
The key to knowing when help is needed is in the severity of symptoms and length of time that symptoms last. A doctor will want to know whether the patient is re-experiencing the traumatic event through uncontrollable thoughts, flashbacks, dreams or a re-living of the emotions associated with the event. If these continue the result can be eating or sleeping disturbances, loss of energy and even chronic pain.
Emotionally, symptoms include depression, anxiety, panic attacks, feelings of fear, obsessive behavior, irritability, emotional numbness, and a desire to withdraw from normal activities. Family and friends may notice memory lapses, a difficulty in making decisions, lack of concentration and becoming easily distracted.
Usually, someone suffering from emotional trauma will be directed to talk therapies to help gain some control. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy aims to change thoughts and actions and can involve reducing sensitivity to stressors. Sometimes relaxation techniques are used or hypnosis. Without help, emotional trauma can lead to substance abuse, self-destructive behavior, feelings of shame, despair, guilt hopelessness, or ineffectiveness, and a loss of one's former belief system.
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