Did you know that traumatic stress is a real thing? It's more common than you might think, affecting 8% of Canadians. The truth is that traumatic stress can manifest itself in many ways, from constant mental and emotional turmoil to physical symptoms like chest tightness and muscular tension. It can be overwhelming, exhausting, and even traumatic to deal with stress. Yet so many of us find ourselves in this situation. If you have traumatic stress in Thunder Bay, Ontario, this guide can help. Here are three ways traumatic stress presents and how to manage it.
What Is Traumatic Stress?
Traumatic stress is an emotional response to a deeply distressing or disturbing event.It's natural for people to experience some level of traumatic stress after a frightening or dangerous event. For example, if you were in a car accident, you might feel anxious or jumpy when driving in the future. But if you're experiencing traumatic stress after a non-life-threatening event, such as being verbally abused by your partner, it may be a sign that you're struggling to cope with the emotional impact of the event.
The Emotional Signs of Traumatic Stress
Traumatic stress can manifest as mental and emotional turmoil. It may present itself in the following emotions:
· Fear
· Anxiety
· Anger
· Sadness
· Shame
People may withdraw from traumatic stress triggers like social activities or conversations that evoke traumatic memories. Another symptom is struggling to connect with loved ones. If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, it's essential to seek help. A mental health professional can provide valuable guidance and support in managing traumatic stress.
The Mental Impacts of Stress
The mental impacts of traumatic stress can be debilitating and significantly impact a person's quality of life. Traumatic stress may include difficulty concentrating or sleeping or flashbacks to traumatic events. It may also manifest as persistent intrusive thoughts that cause disturbing images and memories.
· Memory and concentration
· Completing tasks previously able to do easily
· Intrusive thoughts or memories that make it difficult to focus
· Easily overwhelmed by everyday tasks
· Avoiding things or people that cause stress
It's important to acknowledge that traumatic stress can be a serious mental health condition.
The Physical Impacts of Stress
The physical impacts of traumatic stress can also be severe and should not be overlooked. People with traumatic stress may experience the following:
· Chest tightness or pain
· Headaches
· Muscular tension throughout their body
· Difficulty sleeping
· Chronic fatigue and exhaustion
· Digestive issues such as nausea or irritable bowel
These physical symptoms can be just as debilitating as traumatic stress's emotional and mental symptoms.
Solutions for Managing Traumatic Stress
When trauma-related anxiety symptoms rear their ugly head, it can feel as if there's no relief in sight. But when it comes to traumatic stress, you can use a few strategies to manage its symptoms.
Therapy
The first is to talk to a mental health professional. A professional can help you identify traumatic stress triggers and develop healthy coping mechanisms.
Mindfulness and Meditation
This can be a powerful tool for managing traumatic stress. It helps ground you in the present moment and distance yourself from intrusive thoughts or traumatic memories.
Self-Care
Finally, self-care is essential for managing traumatic stress. This includes getting plenty of rest, eating a balanced diet, and engaging in activities that bring joy and peace.
Relieve Traumatic Stress in Thunder Bay
If you live in Thunder Bay, ON, and are struggling with traumatic stress, seek help and take steps to manage its symptoms. With the right strategies in place, traumatic stress can be managed, and the traumatic events of your past can be left behind. If you're living with traumatic stress in Thunder Bay, the compassionate professionals at Thunder Bay Psychology can offer the help and support you need. Please schedule an appointment today to learn how we can help. Together, we can find a path to healing and recovery.