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Unit 1: Describe the common effect that trauma has on individuals affected…

- - - - Long term effects of trauma….
        
        Physical
        
        Biology of trauma is an Area of growing research. What is currently known is that “exposure to trauma leads to a cascade of biological changes and stress responses”.
        
        Changes in limbic system functioning.
        
        Hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis activity changes with variable cortisol levels.
        
        Neurotransmitter-related dysregulation of arousal and endogenous opioid systems.
        
        Physical effects of trauma may include hyperarausal, sleep disturbances; gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, neurological, musculoskeletal, respiratory, and dermatological disorders; urinary problems.
        
        Sometimes physical illness of those who have experience trauma can be somatic: it can be described as a traumatised person experiencing physical symptoms as psychological reaction to extreme stress . However when They go to the doctor for help with their symptoms medical diagnostic tests do not find anything wrong. These people may be disconnected from their emotions are (inadvertently) Expressing their psychological trauma physically.
        
        Hyperarousal/Hypervigilance: serves as a means of self protection following trauma. It is the body being ready for fight or flight. Muscles are tense, there is a low threshold for startle responses. Some people live continually in this state following trauma. This can mean that they wrongly patience and their response is inappropriate.
        
        Sleep disturbances: early awakening, restless sleep, restless sleep, difficulty falling asleep, and nightmares. difficulty falling asleep, and nightmares Are common d following trauma. Poor sleep affects a persons physical and mental health and well-being. This can negatively affect person who has experience trauma as they are often already physically and mentally stretched. The additional sleep disturbances further reduce their ability to regulate emotions.
        
        Emotional
        
        Emotions affected by trauma are either heightened/overwhelmed or diminished/numb.
        
        Numbing: person May deny that they have any feelings linked to the trauma. This may be experienced as numbness or a lack of ability to feel emotion.
        
        Overwhelmed: Anger, fear, sadness, shame are commonly felt, but the individual may not be able to name these as feelings
        
        Emotional dysregulation: Is most common when the trauma occurred at a young age. Individuals have difficulty in regulating their responses of anger, fear, sadness and shame to current events.
        
        In an attempt to regulate emotions survivors of trauma frequently use drugs, alcohol, disordered eating, gambling, overworking as a means to quell emotions or give them self a sense of connection and control, needed as their dysregulated emotions make for turbulent existence.
        
        NB. Not All activities used to regulate emotions Are considered negative. For example some people use sports fitness activity to regulate their emotions. There are also examples of successful people (sports athletes, artists, writers) who have experienced trauma and The regulation of the trauma through their chosen interest can bring them success and a driving force. Their work and achievements and shared life stories may inspire others .
        
        Cognitive
        
        changes in thought processes can occur in response to traumatic stress.
        
        Dissociation
        
        Cognitive errors triggers: Misinterpreting a current situation as dangerous because it resembles, (even slightly), a previous trauma
        
        Excessive or inappropriate guilt: The survivor of trauma Attempts to make sense in their thoughts of what happened and gain control over a traumatic experience by wrongly assuming responsibility
        
        Idealisation: Demonstrating inaccurate rationalizations, idealizations, or justifications of the perpetrator’s behavior, particularly if the perpetrator is or was a caregiver. Holding their abuser in high esteem. Having love for their abuser.
        
        Hallucinations or delusions relating to the trauma experience. a traumatised individual may hallucinate that they have returned to their trauma experience this can be triggered by The appearance of a stranger or current care giver, they may have similar hair will be wearing similar clothing to their abuser . It may be that a persons aftershave or perfume is The same as that worn by their abuser.
        
        Intrusive thoughts and memories flashbacks. Experiencing, without warning or desire, thoughts and memories of the trauma. These thoughts and memories can trigger strong emotional and behavioral reactions, as if the trauma was recurring in the present. The trigger for these thoughts may be therapy or a person or situation that reminds the individual of previously experienced traumatic events.
        
        Behavioral
        
        Reenactments
        
        Self-harm and self-destructive behaviors
        
        Consumption of substances
        
        Self-medication
        
        Avoidance
        
        Social/Interpersonal
        
        Part of experiencing trauma is feeling different from others. Traumatic experiences typically feel surreal and challenge the necessity and value of mundane activities of daily life. Survivors often believe that others will not fully understand their experiences. they may think that sharing their feelings, thoughts, and reactions related to the trauma will fall short of expectations. The type of trauma can affect how an individual feels different or believes that they are different from others. Traumas that generate shame will often lead survivors to feel more alienated from others—believing that they are “damaged goods.” When individuals believe that their experiences are unique or incomprehensible, they are more likely to seek support, with others who have experienced a similar trauma.
        
        Developmental
        
        Each age group is affected in different ways by the stresses of a traumatic experience and May display different symptoms in response.
        
        Young children: generalised fear, nightmares, heightened arousal, confusion, and physical symptoms, such as stomachaches, headaches.
        
        School-age children: aggressive behavior and anger, regression to behavior seen at younger ages, repetitious traumatic play, loss of ability to concentrate, and poor school performance.
        
        Adolescents: depression and social withdrawal, rebellion, risky sexual activities , fixation on seeking revenge for trauma, sleep and eating disturbances
        
        Adults: sleep problems, increased agitation, hypervigilance, isolation or withdrawal, and increased use of alcohol or drugs.
        
        Older adults may exhibit increased withdrawal and isolation, reluctance to leave home, worsening of chronic illnesses, confusion, depression, and fear
        
        Foreshortened future
        
        Individual May Hold Negative beliefs about the future: such as won’t live long, futility, hopelessness, Life events (that others may take for granted: marriage, children, good job, home, security) are not pursued.