Psychological trauma

Psychological trauma may accompany physical trauma, or exist independently. Typical causes of psychological trauma are abuse, violence, the threat of either, or the witnessing of either, particularly in childhood. Natural events such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions can cause psychological trauma. Man-made events such as armed conflict also inflict psychological trauma.

Related Topics:
Physical trauma - Earthquake - Volcanic

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In times of war, psychological trauma has been known as shell shock and combat stress reaction (CSR). Psychological trauma may cause acute stress disorder (ASD) which may lead on to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD can also develop without an antecedent ASD and may come on months or years after the trauma. Both ASD and PTSD are specific disorders in which the traumatized individual may experience nightmares, avoidance of certain situations and places, depression, and other symptoms. PTSD emerged as the label for this condition after the Vietnam War in which many veterans returned to their respective countries demoralized, and sometimes, addicted to drugs.

Related Topics:
Shell shock - Combat stress reaction - Acute stress disorder - Posttraumatic stress disorder - Vietnam War

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Psychological trauma is treated with therapy and, if indicated, psychotropic medications. Recent studies try to show the effect of trauma on human memory. This kind of study is useful in order to verify the attendibility of eyewitnesses involved in criminal acts.

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A relatively new psychotherapeutic means of treating trauma is EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It was created in the early 1980s by Dr. Francine Shapiro. It involves the patient following the clinician's rythymic finger and hand movements while recalling the traumatic memory. Sessions in general are 90 minutes long, and experts believe EMDR re-wires how the traumatic memory is stored, lessening anxiety over sessions.

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Here are some news artcles about the treatment:

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• "Where traditional therapies may take years, EMDR takes only a few sessions."

Reported in The Stars and Stripes, February 12, 1995

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• "New type of psychotherapy seen as boon to traumatic disorders." Reported in The New York Times, October 26, 1997

Following traumatic events, persons involved are often asked to talk about the events soon after, sometimes even immediately after the event occurred in order to start a healing process. This practice may not garner the positive results needed to recover psychologically from a traumatic event. Victims of traumatic occurances who were debriefed immediately after the event in general do fare better than others who received therapy at a later time. Yet, there is one indication that forcing immediate debriefing may even distort the natural psychological healing process. (McNally, et. al, 2003)

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An excellent book to start with to aid counseling is "I Can't Get Over It: A Handbook for Trauma Survivors" by Dr. Aphrodite Matsakis. She also serves as an expert witness in court for PTSD.

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Psychological trauma: See also ►