Trauma and Violence – its effect on our wellbeing
Crime and violence has become commonplace in our country and the media is full of stories of the latest hi-jackings, murders and related crimes. We have become so desensitized to these renditions of pain and suffering that we simply glance at them and move on to the next story or even head for the sports or entertainment pages of the newspaper.
For those who have been involved in a crime or abusive situation, the associated emotional scars may take a while to heal, longer than the physical signs take to disappear. After an experience of violence, a victim may be left feeling vulnerable, helpless and out of control, living in a world that no longer offers meaning and order.
Trauma generally includes situations and experiences that are out of the ordinary and can be defined as an event that overwhelms an individual’s coping mechanisms. Examples of trauma include natural catastrophes like earthquakes or floods; physical or sexual assault; abuse; witnessing a death, torture, rape or beating of another person; murder of a family member or friend; violent crime or war.
A victim of violence is often mistaken to be the person who was directly affected by the trauma or violent incident, when in fact a traumatic event may also impact on those with whom the victim has contact. These include witnesses to the event, as well as the family and relatives of the person who has been traumatised. Even those in the helping professions or journalists may experience trauma as a result of an event and be considered a victim.
Following a traumatic event, most people experience a variety of emotions, including shock, fear, anger, and a relief to be alive. Often, they can think or talk of little else other than what happened. Others feel jumpy, detached, or depressed. Such reactions are neither a sign of weakness nor a positive indicator of lasting trouble. Rather, they represent a normal response to an abnormal event.
Other common responses to trauma include guilt and self blame, anxiety and edginess, mood swings, irritability, feeling disconnected or numb, bad dreams or insomnia, withdrawing from others, a loss of appetite, difficulty in concentrating, feeling sad or hopeless, and having distressing memories about the event.
These symptoms and feelings typically last from a few days to a few months, gradually fading as one works through the trauma. A consultation with a trained trauma counsellor can offer reassurance and help an individual to make some sense of the situation. Practical intervention may include helping the survivor of the trauma to contact the police or relatives or even assist them to get back into the habit of daily activities like cooking, shopping and cleaning.
