Trauma

There are times in our lives when we may experience stressful events that are outside of our daily routines. These events may come as a shock and turn our world upside-down. They may involve threat to our lives and/or sense of well being, or threat to others. Some examples of a traumatic event could be surgeries, falls, divorce, sexual abuse, and loss of a child, loss of a pet, sudden and unexpected transitions, spiritual abuse, and turmoil in one’s spiritual community. Even after an initial sense of shock wears off, we may find ourselves experiencing raw, strong emotions. We may feel disconnected from others. Some people may experience physical signs related to trauma such as chills, thirst, fatigue, chest pain, headaches. Others may experience confusion, nightmares, intrusive images, poor concentration and forgetfulness. Emotions such as fear, guilt, grief, panic, denial, anxiety and anger may mark our day. Individuals may desire to withdraw or change their social activity. Intimate relationships, family relationships may become disrupted. Various people find their eating habits change. Teens and adults may find they start to drink more alcohol or engage in substance abuse. Although traumatic events and experiences are part of our lives—they don’t have to imprison us. Trauma can be processed.