Stress is a symptom associated with loss of control. We all experience it often on a daily basis. Trauma is the outcome when under severe stress either acutely or over a prolonged period of time. At least one third of the population have suffered trauma at some point in their lives. Trauma develops if the event or series of events that led to the stress is so unpleasant or terrifying that the brain automatically avoids the pain of processing it and it appears as flash backs during the day and or nightmares.
However if you do not process less stressful events but treat them as valid examples to re interpret yourself by then these behave just like minor traumas leading to avoidant and or faulty behaviour patterns in future life further spreading ripples of dysfunction outwards. It is therefore very helpful to write about ones experiences and just doing this even once (writing not typing) can be so effective at combing through life's everyday experiences that this alone can improve physical and psychological health. Sometimes it is too painful for the individual to manage to write about and reflect without professional help, and done properly there is nothing that cannot be worked through and resolved should you want to do so.
During lock down taking time to reflect, write things down and , crucially, re integrate with family and close community can be powerfully therapeutic. Next week we will discuss how professional help for stress and trauma works.