Book Report #44: Traumatic Stress and Resilience.
Begin: 9/15/2024
Finish: 10/15/2024
Title: Traumatic Stress and Resilience.
Author: The Change Company
Why I choose to read this book:
To learn about traumatic stress and ways to cope with the stress and be resilient to overcome and manage the trauma.
What I learned from this book:
Trauma In Life:
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 feelings, thoughts 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 or fear, helplessness 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 specific 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.
Characteristics of The Person:
People already have certain challenges in their lives. They may be 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, b) physical limitations, c) problem with drug use, d) lack of coping strategies, e) education limitations, f) history of traumatic experiences.
Resilience:
Resilient people are able to bounce back from traumatic life experience. They still experience distress however, they the skills necessary to manage it effectively without developing long term difficulties. Characteristics of resilient people: a) flexibility, b) set goals, c) seek help, d) sense of humor, e) learn from mistakes, f) positive outlook, 9) self-confidence.
Emotional and Physical Responses to Trauma:
It is normal to experience emotional and physical responses to a traumatic event. However, those response become problematic if they persist and lead to ineffective behaviors.
Impact of Trauma on Beliefs:
Emotional and physical responses 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 beliefs 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 problems use of drugs, neglect daily activities, controlling behavior in relationship.
Common Symptoms of Trauma:
Majority of people experience symptoms briefly, for some their 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 behavior 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 crisis 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 trauma can be achieved through a variety of treatment approaches: a) learning about trauma and post trauma 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 on trauma firsthand inflict harm on others. Therefore,it’s important to make an effort to avoid becoming a perpetrator of trauma. Be careful of the following areas: a) Abusive and aggressive behavior, b) angry outburst, c) problems use of alcohol, or other drugs, d) criminal activity, e) getting treatment to ensure you do not inflict harm to 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, know the cause and effect and the treatment we can use to soften the effect. This knowledge will let me deal with trauma in a constructive way and build my resilience to overcome trauma. This information will be shared with communities which I hope to volunteer my services.
