Harmful Effects of Traumatic Stress On Health And Life

Effects of Traumatic Stress On Normal People

Photo: Scott Liddell

Traumatic Stress is experienced by people who have been involved in or have been a witness to some horrifying event, such as any of the following –

• Combat and war,
• Torture,
• Rape,
• Accident,
• Natural Disaster, etc.

It is natural to experience extreme stress after the terrible events. These are the normal reactions of normal people under abnormal circumstances. Such people have lived through a shock. These extreme stress reactions do not always become a problem; rather majority of the people who witnessed effects of traumatic stress get over them in a month or so.

However, whoever has ever been involved in such a life or death situation, feels that after the event the life will never be the same again.

Physical Effects

Anyone who has faced traumatic stress due to natural or man made is likely to suffer from some or all of the following symptoms –

• Fatigue, exhaustion,
• Insomnia,
• Headache,
• Sweating,
• Gastro-Intestinal Problems,
• Easily startled,
• Decreased libido,
• Strain on cardiovascular system,
• Decreased immunity.

Emotional Effects

The person who has been through a traumatic event may feel the following -

• Fear,
• Anger,
• Guilt,
• Helplessness,
• Hopelessness,
• Lack of concentration,
• Self blame,
• Reduced effectiveness.

Effects On Social Life

• Conflict in relations,
• Reduced intimacy,
• Withdrawal from social contact,
• Distrust,
• Feeling abandoned or rejected,
• Impaired performance.

Resilience

It is to be remembered that majority of people come out of the effects of Traumatic Stress and start living a normal life. They also show many positive emotions after the traumatic event, like, altruism, hope, helping others, courage, “growing” from experience, and a sense of increased self worth for having been able to come out of the disaster.

Negative Effects of Trauma That Require Outside Assistance

Some people suffer more negative reactions as compared to others. They exhibit symptoms, which indicate that the person will most likely need some kind of assistance from physical or mental health professional, some of which may be -

• Dissociation: Feeling disconnected from the body, from world, society, amnesia, etc.
• Intrusion:Recurring memories, nightmares.
• Withdrawal: Extreme withdrawal from social or work life.
• Hyper arousal: Panic reactions, getting violent, tendency towards becoming violent.
• Extreme Anxiety: Excessive worrying, fear, phobias.
• Substance abuse.
• Psychosis: Delusions, hallucinations, etc.

When Is It PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)?

One of the most problematic effects of traumatic stress is the onset of PTSD. Normally, people recover from a trauma after a few days, or in some cases, a few weeks. But, if this is not happening, then it might be PTSD.

The most important criteria for the diagnosis is that one must have been exposed from an extreme traumatic event, to be suffering from PTSD. Without traumatic event, there cannot be PTSD.

To diagnose PTSD, you may need to know more about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms. Click here to know more.