Anyone can experience trauma, and traumatic events can happen at any stage in life. People experience trauma for many different reasons. Experiences which cause a person to fear for their\u00a0life or safety such as being attacked, sexually abused\/assaulted, witnessing\/experiencing violence, or surviving a natural disaster are all examples of situations that may cause someone trauma. People can also experience trauma from living, working or studying in high stress or dangerous environments where they experience or are at risk of experiencing any kind of abuse, oppression or pain. There is no one single definition of trauma as trauma can occur any time a person endures stress, fear, or panic.<\/p>\n
We all respond differently to traumatic experiences\u00a0and what is considered to be traumatic is individual to each person.<\/p>\n
Common causes of trauma include:<\/p>\n
It can be difficult to read about trauma and to recognise the wide range of experiences that can be traumatic. What is considered to be traumatic is individual\u00a0and means different things for different people. Many people will have\u00a0traumatic experiences in their life. If reading this article is upsetting to you, take a moment away from the screen and come back to read more at a time you\u2019re\u00a0comfortable with. Experiencing trauma does not mean that it will shape the rest of your life. Trauma can be managed so that experiences\u00a0from the past, do not define the future.<\/p>\n
Many people find their own ways to cope with their trauma so that they\u2019re able to live full and happy lives. Trauma, if unresolved and unacknowledged, can have serious and negative\u00a0effects on a person\u2019s life and on the lives of others around them. People diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) often relive (through nightmares and flashbacks) the traumatic event or events that they\u2019ve lived through. Many symptoms of trauma are similar to other conditions and because of this, it can be overlooked by health professionals.<\/p>\n
Each one of the 4 F\u2019s of trauma\u00a0response describe a set of responses that someone may do when faced with threatening situations. Some people\u00a0learn their trauma\u00a0responses in abusive relationships, in difficult childhood experiences, or in any other situation where they were faced with a traumatic experience.<\/p>\n
Which of the 4 F\u2019s we respond to trauma with often varies and isn\u2019t predictable before the moment takes place when we\u2019re faced with trauma or danger. Understanding the different ways we may respond to trauma\u00a0can help us understand our own behaviours more fully. Recognising our behavioural patters can be a first step towards changing them. When we take time to work on our responses to trauma, we\u2019re able to respond differently if and when we\u2019re faced with a similar situation in the future.<\/p>\n
Living through traumatic experiences in childhood can have longterm impacts on a person\u2019s mental and physical wellbeing throughout their life. There are ten categories of childhood trauma that clinicians often\u00a0measure when screening a patient for their history of trauma. Five of the categories are personal and five are related to a person\u2019s family unit. Not all types of childhood trauma are covered within these ten categories.<\/p>\n
Ten types of childhood traumas:<\/p>\n
The amount of traumatic experiences a person has in their early life, can increase the likelihood\u00a0of that person experiencing mental or physical health challenges throughout their life. People may not remember trauma they experienced as a child, recognising your trauma history can be a positive step towards gaining an understanding of mental or physical health difficulties you may experience as an adult.<\/p>\n
PTSD is an anxiety disorder that can be caused by experiencing traumatic events. The condition was first recognised in soldiers and was called \u201cshell shock\u201d, but PTSD can be experienced by anyone. Each person\u2019s experience of PTSD is unique to them. One person might have experienced a similar type of trauma to someone else, yet be affected in different ways.<\/p>\n
Factors that increase chances of experiencing PTSD:<\/p>\n
Not everyone who experiences trauma will have PTSD. Someone experiencing PTSD remains in \u2018psychological shock\u2019 where the traumatic memories and feelings associated with the trauma\u00a0are frequently relived by the person who experienced\u00a0the trauma.<\/p>\n
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual [DSM V]<\/a>, the current criteria for PTSD includes the following:<\/p>\n Symptoms of PTSD include:<\/p>\n If you are experiencing mental health difficulty due to trauma, speaking to someone about it can help. Processing traumatic experiences can be challenging and painful, but there are professionals who can help you to safely work through traumatic\u00a0past experiences and give you guidance towards healing strategies and treatment options that may be right for you.<\/p>\n Speaking to your GP<\/a> can be a great place to start when seeking to access professional mental health support. Your GP will be able to assess you, give you more information about your treatment options and refer you to a specialist if needed. Unfortunately, there can be long waiting times when accessing mental health services in Ireland and this is something to be aware of when speaking about your options with your GP.<\/p>\n One of the options that your GP may recommend to you is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy <\/a>(CBT). CBT is a very specific form of therapy that can be used to treat many types of mental health problems. Research shows that it is effective for a wide range of disorders, from anxiety to depression to phobias.<\/p>\n CBT works on the premise that our thoughts affect our behaviours and feelings, and that it is our thoughts that make us feel bad rather than our life circumstances or situations. It can be used to treat a variety of conditions, including anxiety disorders (such as post traumatic stress disorder and OCD), eating disorders, phobias and depression.<\/p>\n Each session lasts between 30 and 60 minutes. You can have CBT on its own or combine it with other treatments such as medication.<\/p>\n Your GP may also recommend that you go on anti anxiety medication, such as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs<\/a>), to help you cope with your trauma. Medication can be taken alongside accessing talking therapies and other non medicinal treatments. Deciding to take medication can be a big decision, but it is important to remember that if you decide to take medication it does not necessarily mean that you will be on it forever. Speaking to your GP<\/a> about any concerns you may have about taking medication can help you to find the right option for you.<\/p>\n Jigsaw is a national centre for youth mental health. They focus on intervening early to support the mental health of those aged 12 to 25 years of age. Jigsaw operates 13 services in communities across Ireland. They offer a place you can visit for free with confidential support from trained mental health professionals.<\/p>\n The services Jigsaw offer include:<\/p>\n Turn2Me are a community of fully qualified and accredited mental health professionals that work online to provide a high quality, safe, anonymous and confidential space for you to gain support \u2013 wherever you are, whenever you need them, for whatever you are going through.<\/p>\n The services Turn2me offer include:<\/p>\n Here are some other organisations who may be able to offer support based on your situation:<\/p>\n BelongTo<\/a> youth services is the national organisation supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI+) young people between 14 and 23 years in Ireland.<\/p>\n Services include:<\/p>\n The services are confidential, free-of-charge and welcoming to all young people. Visit Belongto.org<\/a> for more information.<\/p>\n Women\u2019s Aid<\/a> is a domestic violence service for women and children in Ireland. They offer advice and practical support for women and children who are being physically, emotionally and sexually abused in their own homes.<\/p>\n Men\u2019s Aid<\/a> specialise in supporting men experiencing domestic violence, whether this is ongoing or in a past relationship. They provide specialist counselling, practical information and legal options, while respecting and supporting you in all your decisions should you decide to leave or stay in the relationship.<\/p>\n Dublin Rape Crisis Centre<\/a> is a national organisation offering a wide range of services to any person affected by rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment or childhood sexual abuse.<\/p>\n Their services include:<\/p>\n TENI is a non-profit organisation supporting the trans community in Ireland. TENI seeks to improve the situation and advance the rights and equality of trans people and their families. Visit Teni.ie<\/a> to find out more.<\/p>\n\n
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What treatment is available for trauma and PTSD in Ireland?<\/h2>\n
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy<\/h3>\n
Medication<\/h3>\n
Free counselling services for young people<\/h2>\n
Jigsaw<\/h3>\n
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Turn2me<\/h3>\n
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Other support services<\/h2>\n
BelonTo (for LGBTI+ young people)<\/h3>\n
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Women\u2019s Aid<\/h3>\n
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Men\u2019s Aid<\/h3>\n
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Dublin Rape Crisis Centre<\/h3>\n
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TENI<\/h3>\n
Mental Health Supports in Northern Ireland<\/h2>\n
Shout<\/h3>\n