Much has been written and spoken about the impact of combat PTSD long after veterans have returned home. Combat PTSD is the type of trauma experienced by those in the military who are deployed on assignment and exposed to violence in the midst of warfare. Most people have typically heard of three common types of trauma. Recent publications from experts in the field of trauma have convincingly communicated that trauma affects both the body and the brain in an enduring way if it is not addressed through psychological treatment. From a vocabulary standpoint, most sources agree that a traumatic event is both severe and inescapable. Webster defines trauma as “a disordered psychic or emotional state resulting from severe mental or emotional stress, or physical injury.“ Other definitions that I have recently read add that trauma occurs in situations where the person feels threatened or they cannot escape from the event. In everyday speech “traumatic” has become a synonym for “bad” or “upsetting.” The purpose of this blog is to define trauma, clarify what distinguishes it from other negative events, and explain why it’s important to do so. However, as these conversations have become more common, we have started to use the word more broadly than is supported by its clinical application. It is both promising and hopeful that as a culture we are striving to better understand what trauma is, how it affects our body and brain, and how we can heal from the impact and move forward. Celebrities have spoken out about their own traumatic experiences, and many individuals have openly told their stories of how traumatic events have changed their lives for better or worse. Within the past decade, numerous books, podcasts, and blogs have emerged with trauma as their focus. “ Trauma“ has become a very significant term, not only in the mental health profession but also in the broader culture.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |