Trauma what it is and where can it lead if untreated. Understanding trauma remains an important issue in terms of both the theoretical (diagnosis) and the practical sides (therapy). In the following article, we want to shed some light on what trauma truly is. We will also explain the consequences of traumatic experiences if they are not diagnosed and treated well.
What Is Trauma?
Trauma is strong psychological distress. We often perceive it as a permanent change in the psyche, caused by dramatic external events, experiences, or feelings. Such as participation in hostilities, participation in a car accident, rape and sexual harassment, experience of physical and psychological violence. It can also be caused by painful childbirth, death of a loved one, especially a child and spouse.
Trauma can lead to nervous disorders and unwanted personality modifications https://www.verywellmind.com/. This may result in depression, neurosis, psychosis, fearfulness, or inability to cope with nervous tension. One of the most common consequences is also the so-called post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
A traumatized person may react by withdrawing from interpersonal relations and social life. On the other hand, such a person may also show pathological hyperactivity, including, above all, aggression.
Consequences of Untreated Trauma
Traumatic events often lead to emotional and physical responses among the traumatized people. Being the most common consequence of trauma, PTSD may affect people in different ways. And over various periods. The most important thing is to focus on well-prepared treatment for all traumatized people.
The sooner a traumatized person reaches out for help, the bigger the chance is that they will overcome the long-lasting effects of PTSD. On the other hand, untreated trauma can lead to:
- Anger, sadness, and even depression
- Denying the traumatic events and their consequences
- Feeling ashamed as a response to the traumatic events
- Detaching emotions and thoughts from the day-to-day life
PTSD can also be identified by a handful of physical symptoms, including:
- Breathing difficulties
- Gastrointestinal issues
- Cardiovascular disorders and high blood pressure
- Nervous twitches, shaking, uncontrolled moves
- Insomnia and other sleep problems
The bottom line is that trauma and PTSD are completely curable. They do, however, require some effort and work put into the treatment. That is why it is crucial to seek professional help, both in terms of emotional and physical problems among traumatized people.