Trauma

 The word "trauma" may be used in two different contexts. 

• In the physical injury inflicted on a person by some external agent.
• In a psychological context, the term trauma means an emotional response to a deeply distressing  or disturbing event. The event may be the sudden loss of a loved one, an accident, rape, or natural disaster.

A person subjected to trauma may respond in several ways. They may be in a state of shock, extreme gried (loss of a loved one), or denial ( the action of denying something).

Apart from the immediate or short term response, trauma may also give rise to several longer-term reactions in the form of emotional lability, flashbacks, impulsiveness (doing things or tending to do things suddenly and without careful thought), and strained relationships.

Besides the psychological symptoms, trauma can lead to physical symptoms, such as headaches, lethargy (laziness), and nausea (a feeling of sickness with an inclination to vomit).  

Some people may be affected a lot more than others. Such people may be entrapped in the emotional impact of the trauma and find it difficult to move on with their lives. Such long term manifestation (the action or fact of showing something) of trauma can lead to a psychological condition called PTSD or post traumatic stress disorder.

Trauma is divided into three main types: acute, chronic, and complex

1. Acute Trauma  mainly results from a single distressing event, such as an accident, rape, assault, or natural disaster. The event is extreme enough to threaten the person's emotional or physical security. The event creates a lasting impression on the person's mind. If not addressed through medical help, it can affect the way the person thinks and behaves.

Acute trauma generally presents in the form of:

• Excessive anxiety or panic
• Irritation
• Confusion
• Inability to have a restful sleep 
• Feeling of disconnection from the surroundings
• Unreasonable lack of trust
• Inability to focus on work or studies
• Lack of self-care or grooming
• Aggressive behavior

2.Chronic trauma  happens when a person is exposed to multiple, long term, and /or prolonged distressing, traumatic events over an extended period. Chronic trauma may result from a long-term serious illness, sexual abuse, domestic violence, bulling (push or move powerfully or violently), and exposure to extreme (maximum) situations, such as a war. Several events of acute trauma as well as untreated acute trauma may progress into chronic trauma. 

The symptoms of chronic trauma often appear after a long time, even years after the event. The symptoms are deeply distressing and may manifest (obvious) as labile (easily altered) or unpredictable emotional outbursts (a sudden release of strong emotion), anxiety, extreme anger, flashbacks, fatigue (tiredness), body aches, headaches, and nausea.

These individuals may have trust issues, and hence, they do not have stable relationships or jobs. 

3.Complex trauma, It is a result of exposure to varied and multiple traumatic events or experiences. The events are generally within the context of an interpersonal (between People) relationship. It may give the person a feeling of being trapped. Complex trauma  often has a severe (serious) impact on the person's mind.

It may be seen in individuals who have been victims of childhood abuse, neglect (fail to care for properly), domestic violence, family disputes(argument), and other repetitive situations, such as civil unrest.

It affects the person's overall heath, relationships, and performance at work or school.