Trauma is a psychological and emotional response to an event or experience that is perceived as deeply distressing, threatening, or overwhelming. Traumatic events can range from physical or sexual abuse to natural disasters, to combat experiences, to sudden and unexpected loss of a loved one.
The effects of trauma can be long- lasting and may impact a person’s physical, emotional, and psychological well-being. Here are some common ways in which trauma can affect us:
- Physical symptoms: Trauma can cause physical symptoms such as headaches, chronic pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and increased susceptibility to illness.
- Emotional and psychological symptoms: Trauma can lead to symptoms such as anxiety, depression, irritability, anger, feeling of helplessness or hopelessness, shame, guilt, and self-blame.
- Avoidance and numbing: Trauma survivors may try to avoid reminders of the traumatic event or numb their emotions to cope. this can lead to social isolation, avoidance of activities they once enjoyed, and difficulty forming close relationships.
- Hyperarousal: Trauma can cause a persistent sense of threat, leading to hypervigilance, exaggerated started responses, and difficulty concentrating.
- Flashbacks and intrusive thoughts: Trauma survivors may experience intrusive thoughts or memories of traumatic events, which can cause them to feel as if they are reliving the experience.
It is important to note that not everyone who experiences a traumatic event will develop long-lasting symptoms. factors such as individual coping strategies, pre-existing mental health conditions, and social support can all influence a person’s ability to recover from trauma. Seeking support from a mental health professional can be helpful for individuals experiencing the effects of trauma.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) does not provide a specific estimate of the number of Australians who have experienced trauma. However, it is known that trauma is a common experience, and many Australians may have experienced traumatic events at some point in their lives.
According to the Psychological Society’s Stress and Wellbeing in Australia Survey, which was last conducted in 2020, 27% of Australians reported experiencing high or very high levels of psychological distress in the pervious 12 months. This distress can be related to a range of factors, including traumatic events such as natural disasters, accidents, or interpersonal violence.
Additionally, the ABS reports that in 2017-18, an estimated 1.2 million Australians aged 15 years and over had experienced physical or sexual violence by a current or previous partner, and around 1 in 4 women (23%) and 1 in 13 men (8%) had experienced violence from a current or previous partner since the age of 15.
It is important to note that experiencing trauma does not necessarily mean that an individual will develop a mental health condition. Hower, trauma can be a risk factor for the development of mental health conditions such as PTSD, depression, and anxiety. It is important for those who have experienced trauma to seek support and treatment if needed.