09/29/2021
Trauma is an emotional response to a tragic, life altering event that is often too unspeakable to mention.
For fear of causing others duress or discomfort, trauma survivors often bury their thoughts and feelings-forcing themselves into further isolation and loneliness. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder(PTSD) can have life altering effects and is often misunderstood.
For example, when someone says they have PTSD, most people assume they could only have PTSD if they are a veteran. However, that is not always the case. Your friend, neighbor, or close family member may be struggling from PTSD, but because they feel their PTSD may seem unwarranted compared to a veteran-they tend to hide their condition from their loved ones.
We can't compare pain. Pain is pain- and just because you perceive your suffering to be "easier" than another's, that does not mean that your trauma is not warranted or legitimate. Regardless of what caused your trauma, the life-altering effects of PTSD remain the same.
Shock and denial are normal immediate reactions to a traumatic event. Longer term reactions include unpredictable emotions, flashbacks and night terrors, strained relationships and increased difficulty with interpersonal communication skills, aversion to social activities, loneliness, depression, lack of concentration and motivation, and even physical symptoms like headaches, insomnia, panic disorders, troubles eating, and/or nausea.
PTSD awareness and trauma education will help all of us better understand the symptoms and triggers of PTSD, so that we can be more conscientious and effective at treating and healing trauma so that trauma survivors can go from surviving-to thriving.
That is why we offer nationally accredited trauma courses and certifications, free of charge at The Harvest Community. We believe that we can make a larger impact on our mental health crisis if more leaders, educators and neighbors are trauma-informed.
