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Trauma: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Trauma refers to a severe physical injury or a profound psychological shock caused by an overwhelming event. It can have long-lasting effects on health and well-being.

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Things worth knowing about "Trauma"

Trauma refers to a severe physical injury or a profound psychological shock caused by an overwhelming event. It can have long-lasting effects on health and well-being.

What Is Trauma?

Trauma is a medical term that encompasses both severe physical injury and deep psychological harm resulting from an overwhelming or life-threatening experience. Clinically, a distinction is made between physical trauma (e.g., injuries from accidents, fractures, or wounds) and psychological trauma (e.g., resulting from violence, disasters, or bereavement). Both forms can significantly affect a person's health and quality of life, and may occur simultaneously.

Causes

Trauma can be triggered by a wide range of events. Individual factors such as resilience, prior experiences, and social support play an important role in how a person responds to a traumatic event.

Accidents (e.g., traffic, workplace, or sports-related)
Natural disasters (earthquakes, floods)
Physical or sexual assault
War, conflict, or forced displacement
Sudden loss of a loved one
Life-threatening illness or medical emergencies
Childhood trauma (e.g., neglect or abuse)

Symptoms

Symptoms of trauma vary widely depending on whether the trauma is physical or psychological. In physical trauma, signs include pain, swelling, bleeding, or loss of function. Psychological trauma may manifest as:

Intrusive memories or nightmares (flashbacks)
Emotional numbness or social withdrawal
Heightened alertness and exaggerated startle response (hyperarousal)
Sleep disturbances and difficulty concentrating
Anxiety, depression, or feelings of guilt and shame
Avoidance of reminders associated with the traumatic event

If these symptoms persist for more than several weeks, a Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) may develop, requiring professional evaluation and treatment.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is carried out by physicians or qualified mental health professionals. Physical trauma is assessed using imaging techniques such as X-ray, CT scan, or MRI. Psychological trauma is diagnosed based on:

Comprehensive clinical interview and history-taking
Standardized questionnaires (e.g., PCL-5, IES-R)
Diagnostic criteria from ICD-11 or DSM-5

Treatment

Treatment depends on the type and severity of the trauma. Physical trauma requires immediate medical care and wound management. For psychological trauma, the following approaches are used:

Psychotherapy

Trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT): Considered the gold standard for PTSD treatment
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing): An evidence-based method using guided eye movements to process traumatic memories
Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET)
Stabilization techniques and mindfulness-based approaches

Pharmacological Treatment

In some cases, antidepressants -- particularly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) -- may be used to support trauma therapy. Medication alone, however, is not a substitute for psychotherapy.

Supportive Measures

Psychosocial support and community integration
Self-help and peer support groups
Physical exercise and relaxation techniques

When to Seek Medical Help

If symptoms such as persistent anxiety, sleep disturbances, social withdrawal, or flashbacks continue for more than four weeks following a traumatic event, it is important to seek professional medical or psychological support. Early intervention significantly improves long-term outcomes.

References

World Health Organization (WHO): International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision (ICD-11). Geneva, 2022. Available at: https://icd.who.int/
American Psychiatric Association (APA): Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). Arlington, VA, 2013.
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE): Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) -- NICE guideline NG116. London, 2018. Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng116

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