Traumatic Experiences Can Impact Health & Well-being May 7, 2024 Most people will experience a traumatic event sometime in their life. It is estimated between 70% and 90% of people will be affected. Two out of every three people experience a traumatic event before their 18th birthday. Trauma can be experienced as either a single event, or a series of stressful events over a span of time that has a significant, negative impact, explained Kiersten Kelly, PsyD, a psychologist at Samaritan Medical Group Family Medicine – 26th Street. “Trauma impacts our view of ourselves, others and the world,” Dr. Kelly said. “These events can have a temporary or lasting change on our stress response, which can lead to serious mental and physical health consequences.” What Are Traumatic Experiences? Some examples of potentially traumatic events include military combat, sexual assault, disasters, a serious illness or injury or the death of a person or animal. Significant changes to family dynamics during divorce, losing one’s job and other significant, negative life altering events can also be traumatic. The same event can be interpreted differently by different people, depending on their life context and what the event or aftermath means to them. Trauma can impact an individual, or it can be experienced by an entire community, causing concern for the safety and well-being of others. “We all experienced a traumatic event with the onset of the COVID-19 global pandemic,” Dr. Kelly said. Trauma Can Affect Physical & Mental Health Experiencing trauma can increase the risk for depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health conditions. Because our minds and bodies are connected, trauma experiences can increase our risk for physical health conditions, including heart disease, respiratory disease, even cancer. One of the most important results of trauma is the impact on our stress response that controls our fight or flight as well as our rest and digest functions. “Our stress response becomes more easily activated by perceived threats, which can cause wear and tear on our mental and physical well-being,” Dr. Kelly explained. The emotional impacts may not be immediately apparent and can develop months or even years later. Trauma can also be passed down from generation to generation through the stories we share. Research shows differences in the prevalence rates of people who experience trauma, with the highest among people of American Indian (not of Latin American descent) or Alaska Native heritage, individuals with less than a high school education, people who are unemployed and people with disabilities. Recovery Begins With Safety Most people recover from a traumatic event during the following months. “There is no set amount of time,” Dr. Kelly said. “This is different for every person.” Typically, people experience fear and anxiety, trouble sleeping, and some difficulty being around reminders of the traumatic experience in the following weeks to months. Most people will recover during that time while others may experience some symptoms that improve with more time. Certain factors can be helpful in protecting us from serious long-term impacts to our mental and physical health. Recovery from a traumatic event is not the same for everyone. Having the support of loved ones and access to health care and other resources after a traumatic event can make a difference. Caring for our mental health is crucial, including getting enough sleep, food, water, exercise, relaxation and social time. “Most important, following an exposure, we need to feel as safe as possible,” Dr. Kelly said. Hopelessness, difficulty doing routine activities, anxiety, stress, sleeplessness or substance use can be indicators help is needed. Regardless of where a person is in their recovery, behavioral and mental health providers are available to support. “Therapy can be a helpful for people struggling with emotional impacts of a traumatic event even if they do not meet all criteria for a post-traumatic stress disorder diagnosis,” Dr. Kelly said. “You don’t have to struggle alone.” Dr. Kiersten Kelly recommends the following websites to learn more: samhsa.gov/trauma-violence psychologytoday.com/us/basics/trauma ptsd.va.gov/understand/what/ptsd_basics.asp For individuals experiencing domestic abuse, cardv.org.
