[libribook.com] Traumatic Scar Tissue Management 1st Edition

Psychological Response
Psychological response to trauma exposure varies considerably from person to
person.
However, certain inherent and learned normal responses to threatening events
are part of our survival/stress response mechanism, which are covered in greater
detail later in this chapter.
During times of stress, most people draw on established coping skills and
support from family and friends to manage such experiences. Healing following
trauma exposure often proceeds normally and there are no long-term
consequences. At other times, an individual may experience temporary or longterm,
mild to severe and debilitating effects from exposure to trauma, which may
transition to more serious psychological conditions such as stress disorders –
discussed in greater detail below (Trauma Center 2015).
Disruptive or debilitating trauma/stress response symptoms can present
immediately, days, months or even years after the traumatic event. Symptoms
may arise through an environmental trigger and present as emotional, cognitive
or physical.
The Effects of Trauma Exposure: a General Overview
Following trauma exposure, anyone of us might experience a range of normal
reactions such as anxiety, fear, shock, upset, an adrenalin rush, irritability,
impatience, hyper-vigilance, exaggerated startle response, distressing thoughts,
feeling overwhelmed, emotional numbness, loss of appetite, sleep disturbance,
personal or social disconnection and various comorbidities associated with
dissociation (Trauma Center 2015).
Some of the common characteristic feelings that arise with trauma exposure are
(Colorado 2012):
• Loss of control
• Intense fear or horror
• Helplessness