Trauma is an emotional response to a deeply distressing or disturbing experience which is difficult to cope with, often causing a lasting impact on psychological well-being. A trauma response can be triggered by a single event, a prolonged situation, or a series of experiences over time. It is important to recognise that the causes of trauma are broad and may vary from person to person; what one person finds traumatic, another may not.
Traumatic events are one of the most common causes of mental health problems, so understanding how trauma can affect mental well-being is essential to a deeper understanding of mental health as a whole.
Understanding Trauma
Trauma is described as an individual’s emotional, psychological and physiological response to distressing events. Trauma can come in a wide range of experiences, incidents or events, including isolated incidents, chronic or ongoing experiences or exposure to multiple events.
- Single Incidents: Isolated traumatic episodes are the most common type of traumatic experience, and might be incidents such as natural disasters, violence or abuse, sexual abuse, accidents, bereavement and exposure to death.
- Chronic Experiences: Chronic trauma includes ongoing experiences of trauma, such as ongoing childhood abuse or neglect, living in a household with domestic violence or constant conflict, being the victim of long-term bullying or harassment, growing up or living in a war zone or being displaced over time.
- Multiple Events: Some types of trauma can exist over multiple traumatic events, or isolated traumatic events can layer on top of one another, which can affect the trauma response.
It is important to remember that trauma looks different for everyone, and sources of trauma can vary widely. Trauma can sometimes arise from childhood experiences, domestic or relationship abuse and violence, serious illness and bereavement. Trauma can also be triggered by larger external factors such as natural disasters, serious accidents, displacement, community violence and witnessing violence or death. While causes of trauma differ between individuals, the impact it has on mental health can be long lasting and affect many aspects of individuals lives.
The Psychological Impact of Trauma
A common response to severely traumatic events may be PTSD (Post-traumatic stress disorder). This is a trauma response which can include intrusive memories, such as flashbacks or nightmares, avoidant behaviour and heightened arousal. PTSD is likely to occur after someone experiences a traumatic event, especially if they lack support after it occurs. PTSD can cause other mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, fears and phobias. For this reason, seeking support after a traumatic episode is important.
Trauma can have a lasting impact on mental illness, including anxiety disorders and depression. One of the common, lasting ways that trauma can affect someone is through fears and phobias; many individuals can develop fears after a traumatic event. This is typically caused by anxious, avoidant behaviour, as it prevents resolution and allows the fear and trauma to develop. This can also be affected by general anxiety around trauma, including flashbacks, excessive worry and heightened arousal. Trauma also commonly causes depression. This may be due to a number of reasons. Many individuals who suffer from excessive anxiety may experience depression as a product of this anxiety, but trauma is also known to alter brain chemistry, affecting brain activity and altering levels of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin and cortisol. Many individuals may experience depression as a result of this chemical imbalance.
Physical Health Consequences
There is a critical link between mental health and physical health. Excessive anxiety and chronic activation of the stress response are known to have a significant effect on physical health due to the stress it can put on the body. These effects may include chronic pain, cardiovascular or heart problems, stomach or digestive problems, and, in some cases, can have an effect on immune system function, increasing susceptibility to illness. It is important to understand and be aware of the physical impact mental health can have on the body, as in some cases, anxiety can cause lasting negative effects on physical health.
Social and Behavioural Effects
There are a variety of social and behavioural difficulties someone with trauma may experience, but it is important to remember that every experience of and response to trauma can be vastly different; for that reason, trauma responses cannot be generalised.
It is common for individuals who have experienced chronic or ongoing trauma, especially childhood trauma or domestic trauma, to have difficulty maintaining relationships due to trust issues, emotional detachment, difficulty regulating emotions or issues with vulnerability. This may cause patterns of withdrawal, conflict or isolation, which can make it difficult to form stable and supportive connections. In some cases, trauma survivors may become overly dependent on relationships, both romantic and platonic. Other times, they may avoid closeness completely.
One of the most effective ways to deal with trauma is through coping skills and tools, which can be developed through engagement in a relevant form of trauma-focused therapy, but it can be easy to fall into a pattern of unhealthy, high-risk behaviour. Some of the most common harmful coping mechanisms to look out for in oneself and others include substance misuse, self-harm, and other high-risk behaviours such as addictive patterns. Because of how damaging these negative coping mechanisms can be, it is important to be self-aware and implement positive coping strategies and skills to prevent or replace harmful behaviour. It is very common for individuals to blame themselves for self-harming behaviours, but it is crucial to keep in mind that these behaviours are common coping mechanisms, and it’s important to be kind to yourself.
Socioeconomic and Cultural Considerations
Social and economic differences can have a substantial effect on how trauma is experienced and how post-trauma is managed. Individuals living in poverty, experiencing housing insecurity or who have limited access to healthcare may be more likely to experience trauma and will likely have fewer resources to manage trauma or PTSD. These aspects can intensify the effect of trauma experiences on mental health, make finding support services more difficult, therefore prolonging recovery. In many cases, trauma is not just personal; it is systemic.
Migrant and refugee populations may face unique traumas, such as displacement, cultural loss, and exposure to violence or war. This is especially relevant in cities with a high foreign-born population, such as London. Language barriers, cultural changes, isolation and unfamiliar healthcare systems can not only make finding trauma-informed mental health support more difficult but can also complicate and make recovery much more challenging. There are many voluntary organisations which specialise in supporting migrants and refugees, which can help individuals navigate these challenges
Trauma affects people of all genders, but the expression of trauma can differ. Statistically, women are more likely to experience PTSD than men, and this can be linked to women being significantly more likely to experience traumatic events such as sexual violence, domestic abuse and gender-based discrimination. But this isn’t the only aspect that may affect these statistics. Men may be less likely to seek out help for trauma due to social stigma and pressure around vulnerability, which may lead to unreported trauma and untreated symptoms. Understanding these patterns is crucial to developing an inclusive support system.
Support for Individuals Affected by Trauma
As with all aspects of mental health, trauma is extremely individual, and every person will experience it differently. Everyone experiences the world differently, so the same event can cause vastly different reactions. Because of this, every individual will require different support and personalised treatment. Outside of how trauma is experienced, trauma is extremely broad, with a wide variety of different types of traumatic events, which can significantly affect how a therapist might approach different clients’ situations.
There are a number of treatment approaches that clinicians may use when treating trauma or trauma-related conditions. TF-CBT (Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing), DBT (Dialectical Behaviour Therapy) and person-centred therapy are some of the common therapeutic approaches used to treat trauma, but are by no means the only approaches therapists could use. Medication is also known to be effective when treating trauma symptoms, but it is important to remember that while medication can be effective in managing the symptoms experienced post-trauma, it does not directly help in processing the trauma, so when treating trauma-related conditions, medication alongside therapy is often advised.
It’s important to note that trauma treatment should always begin with a personalised assessment. The best approach depends on such a wide variety of factors, so what works well for one person may not be right for another. Trauma-informed care should always be tailored to the individual.
Promoting Mental Health After Trauma
Personal resilience doesn’t mean avoiding or ignoring the effects of trauma, but developing the skills to cope and recover over time. Some of the most effective practices for building resilience can include mindfulness and meditation, self-compassion and other positive coping mechanisms. Therapy can also be one of the most effective ways to build resilience and potentially deal with trauma directly.
Seeking professional help following a traumatic event can significantly reduce the risk of long-term mental health difficulties relating to trauma. Early intervention allows individuals to process the experience before symptoms and behaviours become too deeply ingrained. It can also provide tools and skills to manage stress and develop more effective emotional regulation, making it easier to work through the after-effects of trauma. In some cases of more chronic or prolonged trauma, early intervention may not be possible. In situations like this, finding support earlier can still make a significant impact on recovery, although treatment will often require a more gradual, sustained approach.
Strong support systems play a crucial role in trauma recovery. Feeling understood and connected can reduce feelings of isolation and helplessness. Support can come from family, friends, support groups, community-based services and many other sources. Accessible and inclusive resources such as mental health spaces, cultural organisations and trauma-informed spaces create a foundation of support.
When to Seek Professional Help
Being able to identify when mental health support may be needed in oneself and others is key to preventing symptoms from worsening. This is true not only when relating to trauma but with every aspect of mental health. Signs may include excessive feelings of distress, difficulty functioning in daily life, intrusive feelings and thoughts, including flashbacks or nightmares. There are also many physical symptoms which can relate to mental health, such as chronic fatigue, headaches, changes in sleep and appetite, which can all be signals to look for mental health treatment.
Starting to find treatment for mental health care often starts with a GP who can prescribe certain medications for symptoms and can refer to a qualified therapist when needed. When relating to trauma, options may include professional private therapy, community mental health services, or specialist trauma-focused clinics or therapists.
Many individuals delay getting help due to stigma around mental health, financial concerns, time or schedule constraints, or not understanding where to start. It is crucial to understand that seeking support is a sign of progression and strength. Flexible appointment times, online therapy options and some fee flexibility can make support more accessible. Removing or lessening these obstacles can make taking the first step towards recovery and support easier.
Finding Support and Moving Forward After Trauma
Trauma has an extremely wide impact on almost every aspect of mental health. For that reason, it is crucial to understand the relationship between trauma and mental health and recognise when to seek support. If you or anyone you know is in need of mental health support, the sooner you start looking, the better. To get in contact with The Summit Clinic for therapy options, see below.