Trauma, Interpersonal Violence, Abuse

Traumatic stress is the psychological consequence of having experienced abuse or a traumatic event. Traumatic stress can lead to difficulties such as depression, despair, anxiety, panic, anger, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), dissociation and relationship problems. Some people may have nightmares or may find themselves thinking about a traumatic event involuntarily. They may also feel unsafe and have problems with intimacy, self-esteem, and trusting others. People often find themselves striving to avoid anything to do with the traumatic event, including thinking and talking about it.

One major cause of traumatic stress is interpersonal violence - any kind of violence inflicted on one person by another. Often, but not always, the perpetrator is a person close to the victim. Some examples of interpersonal violence include domestic violence, child sexual abuse and incest, physical child abuse, rape and sexual assault, and crime victimization.

Other traumatic stressors include serious accidents, the September 11th terrorist attacks, sudden death or loss of others, war and combat, natural and human-made disasters, life-threatening illnesses, and serious injuries.

Different kinds of treatment can provide relief from these symptoms and can help heal the effects of trauma. Cognitive-behavioral approaches provide people with concrete skills to master their emotions and thoughts. Interpersonal and dynamic therapies address issues of identity, and relationship problems. Medication can also be useful in reducing anxiety, depression and nightmares.