Trauma: A deeply disturbing or distressing experience or witnessing of an event that may be ordinary to some (divorce, illness, accidents) or more extreme experiences that threaten physical danger to oneself or others that they care about. (Natural disasters, War, torture, rape, murder)

Each of us experience events differently, not everyone will have ongoing symptoms of distress, however reviewing any difficult or distressing event with a professional can be beneficial.

Post–Traumatic Stress: anxiety that develops after a traumatic event

Signs/Symptoms:

• Re-experiencing the event, daydreams, nightmares, flashbacks
• Anxious reactions to reminders of the event (triggers)
• Hallucinations
• Avoiding close emotional contact with friends and family
• Avoiding people or places that remind you of the event
• Loss of memories about the event
• Feelings of detachment or numbness
• Difficulty staying or falling asleep
• Anger and/or irritability
• Difficulty concentrating
• Easily startled
• Upset stomach, digestive problems
• Chest pain, tightness of breathing
• Headaches
• Dizziness

Risk Factors:

• Experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event which cause fear for safety or of others
• Previous traumatic experiences
• History of Physical abuse
• Few or ineffective coping skills
• Few or unstable social supports (friends, family, work)
• Existing and ongoing stress
• A social environment that produces shame, guilt, self-hatred or stigmatization.