EBRR Class Report # 17: Traumatic Stress and Resiliency.
Begin: 9/15/2024
Finish: 10/25/2024
Title: Traumatic Stress and Resiliency.
Instructor: CO Cota.
Why I choose to take this class:
To learn about trauma, traumatic stress and resiliency. How to cope with the stress and be resilient to overcome and manage the trauma.
What I learned from this class:
A trauma is a deeply distressing life event such as a natural disaster, serious accident or violent crime. The distress that occur following a trauma may be reflected in a person’s feeling, thought and actions. Most people who directly experience a trauma also encounter difficulties in the days or weeks following the event. Although most of the people feel much better within a few weeks, others recover at a slower pace and some need help to fully recover.
Identifying Traumatic Events:
By definition, a traumatic event involves danger, either to the person or to a loved one. An event is considered traumatic if: a) It involves experiencing or witnessing – an actual or threatened death – serious physical or psychological injury. b) It produces feeling of fear, helpless or horror.
Factors That Influence Trauma:
How a person responds to a traumatic event depends on three factors: the event itself; the person; and the surrounding conditions. Having difficulties after a traumatic event is not a sign of weakness.
Traumatic Event:
The special nature of the traumatic event affects to what extent a person may experience difficulties.
The Surrounding Conditions:
A person’s environment also can have a tremendous impact on his or her ability to cope effectively with traumatic events, factors affecting conditions: support, stress, financial stability and health.
Characteristic of a Person:
People already have certain challenges in their lives, they may b more at risk of experiencing distress and more likely to develop long term difficulties. Challenges that can affect a persons coping with trauma include: a) mental health issues, b) physical limitations, c) problem with drug uses, d) lack of coping strategies, e) educational limitations, f) History of traumatic experiences.
Resilience:
Resilient people are able to bounce back from traumatic life experience. They still experience distress. However, they have skills necessary to manage it effectively without developing long term difficulties. Characteristics of resilient people: a) Flexibility, 2) set goals, c) seek help, d) sense of humor. e)learn from mistakes, f) positive outlook, 9) self confidence.
Emotional and Physical Response to Trauma:
It is normal to experience emotional and physical responses to a traumatic event. However, these responses become problematic if they persist and lead to ineffective behaviors.
Impacts of Trauma on Beliefs:
Emotional and Physical R\response to a trauma are more likely to persist if the trauma changes the way you think about yourself and the world around you. A traumatic event can alter your belief about many issues including: a) self image, b) sense of safety, c) power and control, d) Trust and intimacy in your relationship.
Impact of Trauma on Behaviors:
Ineffective beliefs can lead to ineffective behaviors, such as problem use of drugs and alcohol, neglect daily activities, controlling behavior in relationship.
Common Symptoms of Trauma:
Majority of people experience symptoms briefly, for some these symptoms persist over time. Symptoms are: a) reliving the traumatic event, b) Increase arousal, c) Avoidance behaviors, d) Depression, e) stress related illness, f) anxiety and panic, g) alcohol and drug use, h) compulsive behaviors and i) personality traits.
Coping with traumatic events:
It is never too late to build your resilience and ways to cope successfully with Trauma: a) make connections, b) accept that changes is a part of living, c) avoid seeing crises as insurmountable problems, d) move toward your goals, e) develop a positive view of yourself, f) take decisive actions, g) look for opportunities for self-discovery, h) manage difficult emotions, i) maintain a hopeful outlook, j) take care of yourself.
Recovering from trauma through treatment:
Recovering from a trauma can be achieved through a variety of treatment approaches: a) learning about trauma and post traumatic reactions, b) seeking social support, c) developing coping and interpersonal skills, d) facing fears and thinking rationally.
Breaking The Cycle:
The greatest tragedy is when those who know the damaging effect of trauma firsthand inflict harm on other. Therefor it is important to make an effort to avoid becoming a perpetrator of trauma. Be careful of the following areas a) Abusive or aggressive behavior, b) angry outburst, c) problem use of alcohol or other drugs, d) criminal activities, e) getting treatment to ensure you do not inflict harm on others.
How will this class contribute to my success upon release:
This trauma class has helped me understand about traumatic events and its effect on us. Knowing the cause, effect and treatments, we can use to soften the traumatic effects. This knowledge will let me deal with trauma in a constructive way and build my resiliency to overcome trauma. This information will be shared with communities which I hope to volunteer my services.
