6 𝗧𝘆𝗽𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝘂𝗺𝗮 by Green Strings Network

This thread was published by Green String Network on 31st October 2019. It’s a 5 min read that is worth a year and a half. Visit GSN on their website for lots more on mental health and trauma awareness. And on Twitter for insights you may not find anywhere else @GSNAfrica

6 𝗧𝘆𝗽𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝘂𝗺𝗮

Individual Trauma: results from an event, series of events, or set of circumstances experienced by an individual as physically or emotionally harmful or life-threatening with lasting adverse effects on their wellbeing.

1. 𝗦𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘂𝗺𝗮: a big incident that leaves a community with painful memories that alter their social health, eg a massacre, bombing, car accident, house fire, etc. It lingers with them for a long time.

2. 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘂𝗺𝗮: is trauma obtained from supporting others who have experienced trauma. There can be a build up of stress over time that can cause changes to one’s psychological, physical & spiritual well-being.

3. 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘅 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘂𝗺𝗮: takes place as many horrific events happen either simultaneously or in succession without clear beginning or end. Could be domestic violence, child abuse, living in an insecure conflict environment, war.

4. 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘂𝗺𝗮: occurs during critical periods of our development depending on one’s stage of life. Children who witness trauma are affected by this. It later alters their sense of self and relationships with people near them.

5. 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘂𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿 (𝗣𝗧𝗦𝗗): failure to recover after experiencing or witnessing a terrifying event. It may last months or years, with triggers that can bring back memories of the trauma accompanied by intense emotional reactions.

6. 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘂𝗺𝗮: a traumatic event or series of events that is collectively experienced by large numbers of people – specific group, community or wider society. War is a type of collective trauma that affects all social relationships.