Overview
Every human being goes through experiences in life that leave a mark. As joyful and happy moment shape us, similarly experiences related to trauma or traumatic events affect us, probably in a more powerful way. Trauma is a physical, emotional, and psychological response to a deeply disturbing, distressing, or disempowering situation from which person cannot escape or mobilise himself. Every person has a different response to a traumatic event. There are no objective criteria to evaluate which event will cause post traumatic symptoms.
Signs & Symptoms of Trauma or PTSD
You might notice that you you struggle to build relationships, constantly feels anxious, experience neurotic symptoms, and can have difficulty managing new experiences or stressors; these may have been influenced by a traumatic experiences in the past, be it through difficult experiences with your parents, or other experiences with people or events through your developmental experiences.
Sometimes the circumstances involving loss of control, betrayal, abuse of power, helplessness, pain, confusion, or loss may lead to trauma. The events need not only arise from war, natural disaster, or personal assault to affect a person profoundly or alter their experiences. It is very subjective, and is defined more by its response than by its trigger.
It takes around 4-6 weeks to move past the initial shock of the event. After those responses to the event may vary, some of the common responses include:
- Repeated memories of the event or flashbacks
- Nightmares
- Intense fear that the traumatic event will recur.
- Avoiding places, objects or people that are reminders of the event
- Withdrawal and isolation from day-to-day activities.
- Loss of interest in enjoyable activities
- Mood changes
- Irritability
- Avoidance of reminders of the event.
- Anger
- Denial
- Anxiety
- Sleep problems
- Self-harm
People experiencing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can feel anxious years after the traumatic event has occurred. When the symptoms last more than a month and affect person’s ability to function then the person maybe suffering from PTSD. Sometimes the symptoms of PTSD can escalate to panic attacks, depression, suicidal thoughts, substance abuse or feeling of being isolated and not being able to complete daily tasks.
Trauma Epidemiology
The National Institute of Mental Health estimated lifetime prevalence of PTSD to be 6.8% in United States. The severity and rapid spread of Coronavirus has also had a significant effect on the psychological wellbeing. A study was conducted in Singapore related the impact of COVID-19 on mental health of General Practitioner resulting in 8.9% meeting the criteria for diagnosis of PTSD (Lum A et al. BJGP Open 2021).
Research indicates that children are also equally vulnerable to trauma. They also experience heightened state of stress during a traumatic event, and this can effect a child long term emotional development, mental health, physical health and behaviour. Childhood trauma can result from anything that disrupts his sense of security and some of these indicators can be:
- Unstable or unsafe environment
- Separation from parent
- Domestic violence
- Sexual, physical, or verbal abuse
- Neglect
Trauma counselling can provide a ground presence to the person experiencing trauma to explore their trauma by feeling safe, listened to, and held. A person can prevent going on a downward spiral through professional help. If you are currently struggling with trauma, we offer affordable trauma counselling from certified therapists at Rogerian Psychology Centre Singapore.
Types of Trauma Counselling & Therapy in Singapore
- Cognitive Behavioural therapy (CBT). CBT focuses on one’s thoughts, feelings and behaviours and encourages changes in these negative patterns (e.g., negative beliefs about yourself) that lead to PTSD symptoms.
- Exposure therapy. Exposure therapy guides you safely to confront both situations and thoughts that are related to the traumatic event. This helps to cope with them effectively and can be particularly helpful for flashbacks and nightmares.
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). EMDR combines exposure therapy with a range of eye movement exercises guided by the therapist that helps you process traumatic memories and change how you react to them.
Get Affordable Trauma Counselling & Therapy in Singapore Now
Before it gets worse, let us help you process and validate your feelings, identify triggers, stressors, and contributing factors that may have put you in distress leading to the traumatic experiences through trauma counselling. During trauma counselling sessions, we will explore effective coping skills, stress, trauma and anxiety management skills or solutions that will help you excel better to meet your daily life demands and responsibilities effectively. It’s not too late to change your life. Start trauma counselling with our certified therapists at Rogerian Psychology Centre Singapore.
Certified Specialist Trauma Counsellor in Singapore
Adeline Tan, SAC Registered Counsellor, Certified Trauma Counsellor
Specialist Trauma Counsellor
Adeline Tan is a veteran, specialist trauma counsellor in Singapore who have helped many individuals in Singapore overcome their developmental, childhood, relationship or life trauma to live a more effective and fulfilling life.
Book a session with her now.
This article uses material from WebMD and other useful references for trauma, PTSD or grief related issues. The article is for use of reference and information only, for specific diagnoses and treatment, please reach out to our licensed and/or certified professionals.
Seeing my sister struggle to cope with the aftermath of a car accident and witnessing her sudden anxiety attacks has me seriously considering that she might benefit from trauma therapy to help her heal and regain her emotional well-being. It’s been tough on her, and I want to support her in finding the right help. As you said, trauma can occasionally result from situations including loss of control, betrayal, misuse of power, helplessness, suffering, disorientation, or loss.