The Ripple Effect: How Trauma Impacts Our Wellbeing

Life is unpredictable, and often it hits you hard and when it does it hits you with everything. To some extent, it can be noted that trauma is an event that is devastating to any person, to an extent that rebounds on their physical and mental well-being. The concept of trauma is not as limited to a car accident and natural catastrophes alone, but it can be experienced in several forms. Try to imagine living in a noisy and abusive family, observing parental conflicts, or having a severe illness.

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reports that over 40% of Australians will experience a mental disorder at some point in their lives, often linked to past traumas Source: Health, wellbeing and medicine – Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

The Body Keeps the Score

It is worth noting that trauma is not only mental but can take a physical toll on a person’s body. Let me describe a situation, please: Emma is a young woman who has a car accident. She is still complaining of headache, difficulty in sleeping, and always feeling on the alert many months after the incident. This is so since trauma can interfere with the functioning of the body’s stress regulation system and tie the body to higher vulnerability to headaches, exhaustion, digestive problems, and cardiac issues.

Mental Health and Trauma: You have heard of a tangled Web.

There is an increased probability of having an anxiety disorder, depression, and PTSD as one of the effects of trauma. For instance, a man, David, who saw a man beating his wife mercilessly will have to deal with features such as; flashbacks, nightmares, and social anxiety.

Breaking the Cycle: Learning and asking for help

The good news however is that trauma does not have to be the sum of who we are. One must say that a conversation with a psychologist may greatly help. There are many methods that psychologists can help to use in order to mitigate the impact of trauma in one’s life and build a new life without feeling compelled to return to a situation that caused them harm.

You Don't Have to Go Through This Alone

Wollongong has various types of psychologists whose services aim at dealing with individuals who have had the unfortunate experience of going through horrific occurrences. Coming here is a big step toward regaining your life. Do not delay and look for professional psychological services in Wollongong to help you begin the process of recovery.