Trauma.
You’ve heard myself along with many others talk about trauma and perhaps even more so now than ever before; as it’s not only starting to become more widely known in general but something that COVID-19 is beginning to open many of our eyes to.
What is it? Where does it come from? For in-depth answers to these more general questions, see my earlier blog post on "When Past, Uncovered Trauma Comes to the Surface", here. However, to summarize, we know the impacts of trauma can be long-lasting. We know it can take a massive toll on both our physical and mental health. Experts such as pediatrician Nadine Burke Harris, MD and doctor, Bessel van der Kolk, MD have proven this extensively in their research and best-selling novels, The Deepest Well (Burke-Harris, 2018) and The Body Keeps the Score (van der Kolk, 2014).
To make an incredibly long story short, the impacts of trauma can be deeply significant, life-altering, havoc-wreaking for the mind and body, and most definitely, long-lasting which only summarizes an incredibly small portion of research I've discovered from Burke-Harris, van der Kolk and numerous others. While everyone should be aware of trauma even without a pandemic going on, it's more important now than ever before that everyone is aware of this crucial information.
No one is immune to trauma exposure. Anyone from any background, demographic category, or stage of life can be exposed to trauma. However, we’re all different and will react to experience, and process this situation or any situation in life differently. What may be traumatic to one, may not be to another; even if it’s the same exact situation.
With the novel Coronavirus pandemic, it’s no surprise that many of us or at least someone we know has been exposed to incredibly devastating, life-changing, and disheartening circumstances to say the very least. For some, however, the toll is massive and will not simply dissipate when the pandemic is lifted - that’s where the trauma comes in.
Picture these scenarios:
- Seeing a loved one who is sick and not being able to hold their hand or hug them for support.
- Seeing someone fight for their life and not being able to help.
- Being in the hospital alone with no friends or family at your side especially in critical times and circumstances.
- Being part of a vulnerable or at-risk area or population fearing that no matter what you do, it won’t protect you from the virus.
- Being a healthcare worker seeing many lives taken in mass amounts.
- Being a healthcare or essential worker without sufficient PPE to stay protected.
- Being an essential worker terrified to bring the virus home to your family.
- Having your life uprooted out of nowhere.
- Grieving the loss of the biggest event or moment of your life (weddings, graduations, etc).
- Not being able to remember and honor loved ones who passed through memorial services or funerals.
However, just as COVID-19 has and will leave these effects on so many, it's also important to recognize that life and experiences do this to so many as well even on days without a pandemic and way before a pandemic. Mental health concerns and this concept of trauma, was just starting to be noticed prior to COVID 19 but was always there. Current research, resources, and support is increasing progressively and has and will come in time to help all the healthcare workers and many others now as COVID-19 can be considered a wake-up call to these concerns that were already present but will most likely be even more so in the coming weeks, months, and years.
Chances are you or someone you know falls into one of these categories or circumstances I discussed above. All of these things and even things I didn’t mention, again, CAN have a significant traumatic effect on many as I was talking about earlier. These things will hit people in different ways and not just now; weeks from now, months from now, even years from now for some.
In the midst of the major struggle life finds a majority of us in right now, we must not forget this and must be mindful that everyone is going through something whether it’s related to COVID or not. Everybody is going through something you know nothing about.
I’ve been saying it from day 1: Now is NOT the time to socially distance. Physically distance, YES, but PLEASE do NOT socially disengage. Text, call, Facebook, email, face-time. Skype, Zoom. Stay connected with loved ones. Reach out to that person you may not have talked to all that much. A simple “Hi, How are you?” can make the biggest difference in the world. We MUST create a community of social support now than ever because in the midst of the trauma, in the midst of hardship, heartache, devastation, loss and much more, support, compassion, love can save a life. Studies have proven this time and time again: social support can mitigate these negative effects of trauma, negative experiences, adversity.
And if you’re struggling, you are NOT alone!
- Talk to friends/family
- Comment below
- Message me Privately on Facebook or at compassionatelyinspired@gmail.com. I will be a listening ear if available or will contact you as soon as I can.
- Text home to 741741 to be connected to a live, Certified Crisis Counselor at Crisis Text Line who is there for all needs, not just Crisis needs.
- Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255
- Take care of yourself- whatever that is for YOU- Journaling, exercising, breathing, watching Netflix, taking hot baths, talking it out, taking time for YOU.
Thank you SO much for those who have taken the time to read this post to the end! I know it was a bit lengthy, full of deep but nonetheless important information! If you can, please share this post or comment on your thoughts to help get this message to as many people as possible!
As Always, Stay Well, Stay Healthy, Stay Compassionately Inspired!
~Compassionately Inspired
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