The Relationship Between Trauma and Mental Illness

Trauma is a word and concept often heavily used due to rapidly increasing awareness and relevancy in our society. With the current mental health crisis reaching greater heights and significantly affecting more lives at an alarming rate, it’s important to get equipped with the basics in understanding our experiences and feelings.

Identifying Trauma 

In simple terms, trauma can be defined as an internal response to an emotionally, mentally, or physically negative and painful encounter. It is a type of psychological stress that is directly caused by the impact of that experience on our mind and body. 

Though traumatic events can be classified in a wide range of forms, a few common examples include devastating natural disasters, global pandemics, horrific road accidents, war, the death of somebody near and dear, experiencing abuse, violence, crime, and many more. 

These events can be generalized as frightening and harmful to the point of possible death. Another common factor between these examples is that they can be shocking, disturbing, and overwhelming to your nervous system due to the internal whirlwind of danger and helplessness that they elicit.

Understanding PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD refers to the mental health condition that occurs after experiencing a traumatic event. The period when symptoms may begin greatly varies, they can appear as early as a month after the event to even years after.

Although these symptoms are different for each person, they can generally be categorized into avoidance, intrusion, and negative effects on thoughts, emotions, or physical reactions.

As PTSD begins to develop after the traumatic event, a series of related mental health conditions such as adjustment disorders, attachment disorders, and acute stress disorders (ASD) can be triggered in the process. Personal factors like lack of support, poor mental health history, physical injury, and childhood abuse can also greatly increase the likelihood and severity of PTSD symptoms.

How Trauma Connects to Mental Health 

In a nutshell, mental health is an all-encompassing term that is concerned with how we behave, think, and feel. The state of your mental health can directly impact your physical health, daily life, and relationships. This also applies the other way around, wherein these external life factors can significantly impact your mental well-being.

Trauma affects your mental health in a multitude of ways and can typically be grouped into different types: complex trauma, acute trauma, chronic trauma, vicarious trauma, etc. Although each person’s experience of trauma is unique, if not treated properly, it can ultimately lead to intense and lasting negative changes. 

The main link between trauma and mental health can be found in how the body responds to danger. When we experience fear, threat, or stress, adrenaline and cortisol are hormones automatically released by our bodies as an automatic danger response. And there is no way to control this chemical function. Aside from the well-known fight or flight, fawn, flop, and freeze are also reactions that stem from the body’s automatic survival mechanism. 

The Long-Term Effects of Traumatic Events

The intense stress signals that are sent throughout the body during a traumatic event can continue for prolonged periods after the experience. It can significantly alter how we behave, think, feel, and the overall shape of our mental stability. 

As previously mentioned, PTSD can have lasting effects on the mind and body that lead us to be in a constant state of helplessness, depression, vulnerability, anxiety, and fear. Getting stuck in the danger response mode long after the threat can give you difficulties with handling your everyday life. It may severely affect your decision-making, memory, trust, friendships, dealing with change, enjoyment of leisure, and impair even the simplest of tasks. 

The long-term physical effects of trauma include restlessness, fatigue, headaches, digestive problems, raised blood pressure, sleep issues, feeling constantly on edge, panic attacks, and hyperarousal. 

PTSD can make you more susceptible to long-term complications in your mental state. Aside from the disorders discussed above, increased risk towards mood and neurological disorders are common with people suffering from PTSD. As a means of trying to cope with the difficult emotions, many turn to self-harm, have uncontrollable suicidal thoughts, and have a tendency to abuse drugs and alcohol.

Ways to Overcome Traumatic Experiences

It’s crucial to note that there is a difference between PTSD and traumatic stress even though both can reach similar levels of intensity. PTSD keeps you and your nervous system stuck in a state of shock, and symptoms can even worsen over time. Traumatic stress, on the other hand, can slowly improve over time with the right steps.

Going through a traumatic event can make you feel like things aren’t going to get any better. But a journey towards healing isn’t impossible. There are many practical steps to take in order to move past the trauma and happily live your life.

First, you need to wholeheartedly accept all the difficult emotions and feelings that you are going through instead of dwelling on denial and self-blame. As you go through your process of recovery, remember that overcoming trauma can only be done by using action to overcome your feelings of helplessness. Always make self-care and connecting with others your top priorities.

Lastly, don’t be afraid to reach out and accept help or support from others. Finding and working with the right therapist or support group can make all the difference in your path to health and healing.

Key Takeaway

There’s plenty of nuance that goes into the concept of trauma. It can drastically affect your mental stability and prevent you from living your day-to-day life in basic ways. In this day and age, learning about the fundamental connection between trauma and mental health is more essential than ever.

What’s Next?

Processing trauma is like navigating an uncharted sea. It's unique for everyone, unpredictable, and full of potential stumbling blocks. It's a journey that requires patience, self-compassion, and resilience. But remember, you're not alone and it's okay to seek help. We're about to delve into some concrete steps that can be instrumental in processing trauma and preventing it from escalating into a mental health disorder. 

Acknowledge Your Feelings:  Recognize that it's completely normal to feel a range of emotions following a traumatic event. This is your body's response to stress.

Talk About It:  Find a trusted person to share your experience with. It can be a friend, family member, or mental health professional. Speaking out loud can be therapeutic.

Prioritize Self-care:  Keep your body strong to help manage emotional stress. Maintain a balanced diet, get regular exercise, and ensure you're getting enough sleep.

Learn Relaxation Techniques:  Activities such as yoga, meditation, or controlled breathing can help manage stress and promote calm.

Limit Media Exposure:  If news or social media triggers or re-traumatizes you, take a break.

Develop a Routine: A structured daily schedule can provide a sense of normalcy and control.

Stay Connected:  Interact with your support network. Social isolation can prolong trauma symptoms.

Seek Professional Help:  If you're finding it tough to cope, reach out to a mental health professional. They can provide strategies for managing stress and navigating through the healing process.

Learn About Trauma: Understand what trauma is and how it impacts the mind and body. This knowledge can help normalize your experience.

Practice Mindfulness: Being present and engaging with the world around you can reduce the power of traumatic memories.

Create a Safe Space: Whether it's a room in your home or a place in your mind, having a safe refuge can be calming.

Write it Down: Journaling can be a powerful tool for expressing thoughts and emotions that are hard to articulate.

Avoid Alcohol and Drugs: These substances might seem like they offer relief, but they can exacerbate trauma symptoms and lead to dependency.

Celebrate Small Wins: Healing takes time. Acknowledge your progress, no matter how small.

Remember, there's no one-size-fits-all approach. Everyone's journey is unique, so what works for one person might not work for you. It's about finding your own path and pace. It's okay to ask for help and take your time. You got this!