Traumatic Grief
Have you been through a traumatic event, as a result of loss or grief?
Grief and loss in some cases, triggers a traumatic reaction. Trauma is experienced when we either directly or indirectlyare exposed to a frightening and overwhelming event. This may be an unexpected or sudden death such as suicide, death of a child, of a partner, murder, car crash or other accident, natural disaster or if the death is seen as preventable.
A traumatic experience overwhelms the body’s ability to cope. The person is unable to process the event or give meaning to it or make any sense of what has occurred. There is an inability to integrate the event – physiologically or emotionally. The experience is simply too much, or happens too soon, or too fast.
What are the signs of trauma?
Everyone reacts to traumatic experiences differently. Here are some signs and symptoms of trauma:
- Overwhelm, Shock, Numb
- Confusion, Disbelief
- Low mood, Despair
- Anger, Rage
- Anxiety, Panic, Struggling
- Fear of losing control
- Helplessness, Distress
- Guilt, Disconnection
- Withdrawal
- No motivation,
- Exhaustion
- Crying and sobbing
These are all normal human responses to a traumatic experience and everyone’s reaction to grief, loss and/or trauma is completely individual.
The body’s natural reaction to trauma is to trigger a survival response in the brain – flight, fight or freezereaction. Ournervous system is designed to protect us from a potential threat from harm, as we no longer feel safe. Everyone’s response is different as are their previous life experiences. We usually just react, rather than having time to think about a response. For example, people in ‘fight’ mode may feel agitated, heart rate increases and the breath may shorten. In ‘flight’ mode, we may try to leave, escape or avoid the situation. If you move to ‘freeze’ mode, you may go blank or have an inability to make decisions.
Working with trauma
Some people find that they are able to work through their traumatic grief experience with a trusted friend/s or family members who understand, or have lived experience.
Many find independent support with a professional counsellor useful in working through what has occurred. Make sure the counsellor is a good fit for you. If not, give yourself permission to look around further, until you find the right support, where you feel heard and understood to work through your trauma experience.
Jane Macnaught
Tranquillo Place
Grief Trauma Anxiety Counselling
www.tranquilloplace.com
You may also like to contact the Griefline
https://griefline.org.au/contact-us/