Stress and Trauma

Stress defined
Stress is a normal physical response to events that make you feel threatened or upset your balance in some way.

Stress response
Bodys way of protecting you. Helps to stay focused, energetic and alert. To meet challenges

But beyond a certain point ..?

Stress levels

Bodys stress response

Nervous system responds Stress hormones Heart hormones Heart pounds faster Muscle tightens Bp hike Breath Quickens

Top Ten Stressful Life Events

Spouses death Divorce Marriage separation Jail term Death of a close relative Injury or illness Marriage Fired from job Marriage reconciliation Retirement

Chronic Effects of stress

It can raise blood pressure, Suppress the immune system, Increase the risk of heart attack and stroke, Contribute to infertility, Speed up the aging process. Leaves you more vulnerable to anxiety and depression.

How much stress is too much?

Things that influence your stress tolerance level

Your support network Your sense of control

Your attitude and outlook

Your ability to deal with your emotions. Your knowledge and preparation

Causes - Stressors
Common external causes of stress Major life changes Work Relationship difficulties Financial problems Being too busy Children and family Common internal causes of stress Inability to accept uncertainty Pessimism Negative self-talk Unrealistic expectations Perfectionism Lack of assertiveness

Stress Warning Signs and Symptoms

Cognitive Symptoms
Memory problems Inability to concentrate Poor judgment Seeing only the negative Anxious or racing thoughts Constant worrying

Emotional Symptoms
Moodiness Irritability or short temper Agitation, inability to relax Feeling overwhelmed Sense of loneliness and isolation Depression or general unhappiness

Physical Symptoms
Aches and pains Diarrhea or constipation Nausea, dizziness Chest pain, rapid heartbeat Loss of sex drive Frequent colds

Behavioral Symptoms
Eating more or less Sleeping too much or too little Isolating yourself from others Procrastinating or neglecting responsibilities Using alcohol, cigarettes, or drugs to relax Nervous habits (e.g. nail biting, pacing)

Dealing with stress and its symptoms

Learn how to manage stress
Strengthen your relationships Learn how to relax Invest in your emotional health

Trauma

Trauma Defined..
Experienced or witnessed event(s) so extreme, severe, powerful, harmful or threatening, it/they require extraordinary coping efforts.
Experienced/witnessed event(s), involving actual or threatened death or serious injury, or a threat to physical integrity of self or others.

Physical Trauma
Physical trauma refers to a physical injury, generally of a considerably severe degree. A trauma patient is someone who has suffered serious and life-threatening physical injury with the potential for secondary complications such as Shock, respiratory failure and death.

Symptoms unconsciousness, internal bleeding, disorientation, shock, or even death. Critical Factors Time : Golden hour Specialized care First Respondents
emergency medical technicians, paramedics, specialized nurses, firefighters trained providers

Psychic trauma
Feelings of intense fear, helplessness, loss of control and threat of annihilation.
Emotional wound or shock that creates substantial lasting damage to the psychological development of a person.

Psychic trauma effects.

Emotional: Fear, shock, horror, anxiety, sadness, anger, guilt, Depression.
Behavioral: Avoidance of stimuli/reminders, changed activity level, withdrawal, outbursts, conflicts, academic/work deterioration, excessive/diminished activity, changed energy, risk taking, overprotective, disinterest/apathy, acting out, selfdestructive behaviors, substance use/abuse, loss of capacity for action, addiction to trauma,

Social: Change in family/ peer/ work relationships, withdrawal, isolation, overprotective, apathy, dependency.

Thank you..