How Trauma Impacts the Functioning and Well-Being of an Individual

When it comes to trauma, it can happen to anyone, anywhere. It can happen at any age and affects every individual differently. You might have been in a similar frightening event like somebody else with an entirely opposite reaction and behavior.

But for Steve Wilson, trauma took on a whole new meaning when he had to endure immense pain and bear unimaginable losses. Teetering on a Tightrope by Steven W. Wilson is a story that narrates the tale of his journey with bipolar disorder and serves as an inspiration for all those who are suffering.

What is Trauma?

Traumatic events put the victim at risk of harm or death. Trauma can impact us so deeply that our coping mechanisms become overwhelmed, leaving us frightened and in shock. People can experience trauma for various reasons, including:

• Experiencing a violent attack, shocking accident, or natural disaster.
• On-going stress such as abusive childhood or partner abuse, bullying, long-term illness, etc.
• Living in a risky environment.
• Witnessing someone else being physically tortured or injured.

How an individual is affected by trauma is not related to how strong that person is. This reaction depends on factors like past traumatic experiences, stresses, and how much support one gets afterward.

When you face a traumatic experience, your body reacts by preparing a specific response. This is known as a survival mechanism, and no one has control over it. This survival mechanism has a range of actions which include:

• Fight - Fight includes being defensive or protesting against a traumatic event.
• Flight - Flight includes escaping or running away from the event.
• Freeze - Freeze refers to being in a state of shock, where a person is unable to move or make any decision.
• Fawn - Fawning includes attempting to please someone who is hurting you.
• Flop - Flop refers to being unresponsive or dissociating from your body, which can include fainting.

Now let’s get into how trauma impacts the functioning and well-being of a person.

How Trauma Affects Functioning and Well-Being of an Individual?

1.     Psychological Impacts

Trauma can lead to multiple psychological issues, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders. If the trauma isn’t treated properly, it can have a lifetime effect and cause intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, nightmares, and a persistent sense of danger.

2.     Cognitive Adverse Effects

Trauma can impair cognitive functions, including your focus, attention, concentration, and memory. It may become complicated for individuals to concentrate on tasks, make decisions, or process information. Cognitive effects also include a delay in memory recall, even regarding the traumatic event itself.

3.     Emotional Distress

When you experience trauma, your emotional regulation is completely disrupted. This causes intense and unpredictable moods and emotions, which cause irritability, impulsivity, anger, sadness, guilt, and shame. Trauma victims become emotionally and physically numb and are unable to feel positive emotions.

4.     Physical Symptoms

Trauma can affect you so deeply that it can manifest in physical symptoms like headaches, fatigue, gastrointestinal problems, kidney problems, disturbed sleep schedules, and compromised immunity. These are just a few of the physical symptoms that further impact one’s cognitive functions and overall well-being.

5.     Social, Behavioral, and Interpersonal Challenges

You might have noticed that trauma completely changes a person. Few might become completely quiet, while some might become the opposite. The ability to trust others and form healthy relationships decreases as the person tries to isolate themselves, experience social withdrawal, or maintain close bonds with others. Their self-esteem, self-worth, and self-efficacy are being adversely affected too.

The overall behavior of individuals changes, and they start to engage in avoidance behaviors and turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms like substance abuse and self-harm to manage their stress.

These were some common challenges trauma victims face. It is necessary to understand that the impact of trauma varies from person to person. While some people exhibit immediate stress, others take time, which can even include years, to deal with trauma. The severity and duration of trauma-related symptoms can also differ. However, experiencing trauma doesn’t mean one cannot live a productive and positive life. Don’t be afraid to seek professional mental help from expert therapists and counselors.

Delve into Teetering on a Tightrope by Steven W. Wilson. This outstanding memoir includes Steve’s journey with bipolar disorder and how he navigated through trauma. This book serves as an inspiration and a beacon of hope for all who have experienced trauma, reminding them that no matter how traumatized they might have been, there is always a way to lead a productive life if you want it.