Traumatic events are shocking, dangerous or upsetting incidents that intrude into your daily life. They are usually experiences which are life threatening or pose a significant threat to a person’s physical or psychological wellbeing.
Situations and events that can lead to trauma include:
- violent incidents such as armed robbery, assault, home invasion or terrorism
- natural disasters such as bushfires, earthquakes, or floods
- interpersonal assaults such as rape, domestic violence, or child abuse
- loss of a loved one, including the suicide of a family member or friend
- experience of a life-threatening illness or injury
- involvement in a serious accident.
People react differently to traumatic events. What may severely impact one person may have little effect on another. Other stressful situations which appear less serious may still trigger traumatic reactions in some people. It’s important to remember that everyone’s experiences and reactions are valid—including your own.
While it’s normal to feel upset after a traumatic incident, it’s important to remember that most people recover well from distressing events over time with support from their family, friends and community.
Some of the impacts of stress can include:
- trouble sleeping
- muscle tension
- exacerbation of pre-existing conditions (such as arthritis or asthma)
- headaches and nausea
- feeling restless
- finding it hard to concentrate or problem solve
- feeling a wide range of emotions, like anger, sadness, fear, helplessness, anxiety and guilt
For most people, these effects will fade over time, but if they are still present four to six weeks after the event it is important to seek help.
Tips for coping with traumatic events
The Australian Red Cross has some useful resources to help you look after yourself and others during and after a crisis. They suggest:
- getting good rest
- watching your diet and physical health
- looking after your relationships: communicate with people close to you and accept or ask for their support if it helps you or your children.
- doing things that make you happy: as much as possible, take part in activities and interests that make you feel good.
- staying connected with your community, neighbours and other groups. Don’t become isolated, as an individual or as a family.
In addition, the US National Institute of Mental Health has useful information about caring for your mental health, and advice on when you should seek professional help.
Professor Meaghan O’Donnell, a University of Melbourne researcher and clinician who works with people directly impacted by traumatic events, suggests that a good indicator that you or someone you know should seek professional help is when stress or trauma is interfering with normal functioning and making it hard to do everyday activities. If you’re not sure, talk to your GP in the first instance.
Helping children and young people affected by trauma
Children and teens can have extreme reactions to traumatic events, but their symptoms may not be the same as those seen in adults. In children younger than age 6, symptoms can include:
- Wetting the bed after having learned to use the toilet
- Forgetting how to talk or being unable to talk
- Acting out the scary event during playtime
- Being unusually clingy with a parent or other adult
Older children and teens usually show symptoms more like those seen in adults. They may also develop disruptive, disrespectful, or destructive behaviours. Older children and teens may feel guilt over not preventing injury or death. They may also have thoughts of revenge. (Source: National Institute of Mental Health).
The Australian Red Cross also has information about how kids and young people are affected by trauma, and how you can help them cope. An important point to remember is that the strongest predictor of how children will recover is how the important adults in their life recover, so it’s important that you look after yourself.
Where to get help
If you are finding things difficult it's always a good idea to speak with your GP in the first instance. If you or someone you know needs support, call:
- Lifeline on 13 11 14
- Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800
- MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978
- Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467
More information
This article draws on information from the following sites, which all have more resources about coping with traumatic events, and how you can support yourself and others.
- After a distressing event has happened: Information for communities, parents and caregivers, Australian Red Cross
- Trauma, The Australian Psychological Society
- Simple ways to support people dealing with traumatic events, Professor Meaghan O’Donnell, University of Melbourne
- How to cope with traumatic news—an illustrated guide, Lucy Fahey, ABC News
- Trauma and Grief Network, Australian National University
- Coping with traumatic events, National Institute of Mental Health, US Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health
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