What is traumatic stress, what are its symptoms, how to deal with it?

Many events that are part of life, from personal negative experiences to a global crisis, can create traumatic effects and cause us to lose control of our lives, overwhelm our emotions and come to a standstill. After a natural disaster, traffic accident, global epidemic, economic crisis or great loss traumatic stress We can go out and experience shock, anxiety, fear, burnout, confusion, or all of these emotions and situations.

Important note: All information and recommendations in this article are based on scientifically sound articles prepared for general informational purposes and do not contain expert advice. The content of the page does not include elements containing information about therapeutic medical care. See your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.

Defined differently than PTSD. traumatic stresscan make you feel helpless and vulnerable in a dangerous world. Although the symptoms of traumatic stress and post-traumatic stress disorder appear to have very similar effects immediately following a natural disaster or traumatic event, they progress differently in the process. However negative the symptoms of traumatic stress may be, gradual recovery can be achieved soon after the traumatic event, with particular attention to emotional and mental health. However, if the effects persist and the negative symptoms persist even after a long time, this is interpreted as a sign that the traumatic stress has progressed into post-traumatic stress disorder.

Causes and symptoms of traumatic stress

Many different types of traumatic events can cause a person to experience traumatic stress. Ill-treatment, assault, violence, involvement in war, sudden disappearances, torture, natural disasters, assault, surveillance murder, terrorism, traffic accident, serious medical intervention Individual, social or global events such as traumatic stress are among the causes of traumatic stress.

When a traumatic event directly or indirectly affects a person, there are many different can cause strong emotions and negative physical reactions:

• numbness
• feeling overwhelmed
• helplessness and burnout
• Fear
• state of anxiety
• Feeling disconnected from the world
• state of shock
• sadness, grief
• Guilt
• Anger and resentment
• Shame
• feeling of weakness
• stomach ache
• Headaches and dizziness
• shake
• sweating/cold sweat
• cardiopalmus
• chest pain
• respiratory disorders
• Sleep disorders
• unexplained pain
• Loss of appetite
• Weight Gain / Weight Loss
• Substance use

traumatic stress physical, mental and emotional symptoms among. Various methods are recommended for coping with traumatic stress, including prioritizing one’s own well-being and accepting one’s own feelings and thoughts.

How to deal with traumatic stress?

After a traumatic event restoring emotional balance Although it may seem complicated, with some modifications and rules improvement can be achieved. Recommended living arrangements to reduce the effects of traumatic stress include:

• Remember that there is no “right” or “wrong” way to feel.. People may respond to trauma in different ways; so-so (or someone else) does not tell you what to think, feel or do.
• Don’t ignore your feelings; it only slows down healing. At the moment, it may seem like it’s best to avoid experiencing your emotions, but they exist whether you pay attention to them or not. Even strong emotions will pass if you allow yourself to feel what you feel. Time takes on the role of a cure for everything.
• Avoid compulsive re-experiencing of the traumatic event. Thinking over and over or seeing horrific images over and over again can overwhelm your nervous system and make it difficult to think clearly. as much as possible Avoid repeated exposure.
• Engage in activities that occupy your mind (reading, watching movies, cooking, playing games)so that you can divert all your energy and attention from the traumatic event as much as possible.
• Rearrange your routine. After a traumatic event, returning to your daily routine as much as possible can help you minimize traumatic stress, anxiety, and hopelessness. While it can be difficult, returning to a routine can speed up recovery.
• Postpone important, big and important decisions. Making important decisions about your home, work, or family when you’re traumatized can add to the stress in your life. If possible, try to wait until life calms down, you restore peace of mind and can think more clearly.
• While it may seem very difficult to prioritize your needs, pay close attention to personal hygiene. Pay attention to your diet, sleep, move as much as possible, spend time in nature.
• Keep your social support as wide as possible. You should not talk about your traumatic experience. Spending time with others does not mean talking about the traumatic event. Comfort comes from feeling connected and connected with other people you trust. Talk to friends and loved ones about things that have nothing to do with the event that triggered the traumatic stress, and normal do something.

In addition to supporting loved ones, remember that you are not alone and you can speed up your recovery process with the help of professional support.

Important note: All information and recommendations in this article are based on scientifically sound articles prepared for general informational purposes and do not contain expert advice. The content of the page does not include elements containing information about therapeutic medical care. See your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.

You may be interested in: Trauma and more: How do traumatic events affect our lives?

Source: helpguide.org, istss.org