Trauma
What is trauma?
“A direct personal experience of an event that involves actual or threatened death or serious injury, or other threat to one's physical integrity; or witnessing an event that involves death, injury, or a threat to the physical integrity of another person; or learning about an unexpected or violent death, serious harm, or threat of death or injury experienced by a family member or other close associate” (APA, 2000, p. 463).
A traumatic event is an event which threatens to overwhelm an individual's ability to cope with their normal life.
The Effects of Trauma
Trauma can cause a variety of different responses and may include some of the following which can be normal / natural reactions to the trauma experienced.
Physical Effects of Trauma
- Easily startled by noises or unexpected touch
- Fatigue / exhaustion
- Stomach aches / nausea
- Aches and pains such as headache, backache
- Changes in sleep patterns and appetite
- Sudden sweating and heart palpitations
Emotional Effects:
- Shock and disbelief
- Fear and / or anxiety
- Grief, disorientation, denial
- Hyper-alertness / hyper vigilance
- Feelings of helplessness, panic and feeling out of control
- Nightmares
- Guilt
- Mood swings and crying
- Anger and desire for revenge
- Depressed, anxious and numbness
General effects of trauma
- Difficulty in concentrating and making decisions
- Flashbacks of the event
- Reliving the event over and over
- Increased need to control everyday events
- Tendency to isolate oneself
- Withdrawal from or clinging to others
- Attempting to avoid any trauma or cues / places that remind one of the trauma
- Diminished interest in everyday activities
- Feelings of self-blame or survivor guilt
- Questioning your religion or belief system
Recovering from trauma
Recovery is an individual process and it is important to give yourself time to do so. Different factors such as your life history, your support system, your values, your coping skills and your exposure and proximity to the event can influence how quickly you recover. The following can help you to recover as they support the recovery process:
- Physical exercise such as walking, dancing or playing sports
- Making sure that you follow a healthy diet
- Ensuring that you get enough rest and sleep
- Pursuing relaxing activities such as watching a movie, listening to music, hobbies and reading
- Keeping in contact with friends, family and coworkers
- Playing with children or pets
- Talking to a counselor
- Meditating, mindful breathing or yoga
- Most importantly, be patient and kind to yourself!
What can I expect?
Our trauma counselling services are available:
- In hospital.
- Emergency scene.
- Our consulting rooms.
Generally, trauma counselling is done at the time of the traumatic incident or soon thereafter. We also offer counselling at our various rooms if extended consultations are required post a traumatic event. In this instance, Hometree offers individual sessions to patients and or family members to assist them in developing improved coping skills and to integrate the effects of the trauma into their lives.
Will other people know what I say in sessions?
Your personal information will be treated with the utmost confidentiality, and no information will be shared with others without your verbal or written consent. However, there are some situations in which we may be obliged to break confidentiality. This includes:
- Emergency situations: Such situations are those where you may be at risk of harming yourself, another person or the therapist.
- Statutory duty: A provision in an Act may oblige me to disclose information.
- Court orders: A court may order us to disclose private information where we, in terms of our professional rules shall however endeavour to do everything possible to prevent the disclosure of private information.
- Certain medical aids require a diagnostic code in order to pay the account. If you do not agree to this code being disclosed, the medical aid may refuse to pay your account.
- From time to time we may need to refer you to other practioners such as a general medical doctor or psychiatrist. In this event, we will discuss this with you and your consent will be obtained to share information with these parties.
Appointments
- In-hospital consultation are done by our trauma counsellors on a one on one basis for families and patients, and may vary in length.
- Individual Therapy sessions with a counsellor take place at a set time and place.
Fees
- In-hospital sessions are charged for per hour.
- Individual sessions are charged for per hour.