PTSD Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Chat Support Group
Can Stress Become Unmanageable?
Trauma can cause severe stress which may become unmanageable, despite the best
efforts of good stress management. Let's look at why this happens, and what
you can do about it.
Traumatic events cause severe stress reactions that are particularly hard to
manage. Trauma involves a unique kind of physical/emotional shock that escalates
the "fight-flight" stress response,feeling angry or scared, into "super-stress:"
feeling terrified, stunned, horrified, like your life is passing before your
eyes, or so overwhelmed you "blank out."
Trauma occurs when a person directly experiences or witnesses:
- Unexpected death
- Severe physical injury or suffering
- Close calls with death or injury
- Sexual violation
If you have ever experienced or witnessed war, disaster, a terrible accident,
sexual or physical abuse or assault, kidnapping or hostage-taking, or life-threatening
illnesses, you know the shock of trauma.
Nothing in life ever seems quite the same again, even if "everything works
out for the best." Trauma leaves a lasting imprint of terror, horror, and
helplessness on the body and the mind. The world no longer seems safe, manageable,
or happy. People no longer seem trustworthy or dependable. Self-doubt and guilt
eat away at your self-esteem. Faith and spirituality are shaken or lost.
Traumatic stress can be managed, but special steps are necessary.
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