Deja Vu

Trauma. It’s the emotional response to an often unforeseen, unwanted, and unfortunate event. Initially, we may experience shock, fear, or we might be in a state of denial, simply not able to come to terms with what has happened ¹. However, responding in this way is just our body’s natural way of responding to what has just occurred. It’s essentially our body’s’ defense mechanism, as it helps us to fight in the midst of danger, or get away from danger, by simply avoiding it².  However, there are some traumatic events that produce long term effects on how we process and deal with our feelings and even how we process the world around us. We might find ourselves having difficulty maintaining relationships and or managing our emotions. We might even find ourselves constantly reliving those initial feelings of shock, fear, hurt, etc,. making it hard to move forward in our daily lives.

Post traumatic stress disorder, also known as PTSD, is a disorder that may develop when a person experiences a dangerous, scary, or shocking event. PTSD is typically associated with those who have seen days of treacherous combat and war, but PTSD can form from any sudden event, such as a natural disaster, or even the sudden loss of a loved one. And because as humans we are all so different, what the symptoms of PTSD look like and how we need to be supported in managing these symptoms, look different from person to person. However, PTSD typically consists of moments of reliving those initial symptoms even though the immediate danger is no longer present. The person’s thoughts of the event might be the driving force producing these symptoms or feelings, but certain objects, scents, or even sounds, can be triggering as well, causing the person to feel as though they are in immediate danger, all over again². 

When dealing with PTSD, focusing on what can be done and what can be controlled rather than focusing on how to avoid possible triggers, might be helpful for some. Speaking with a professional, enlisting the help of those who care for you, or seeking support from those who have experienced similar situations in their lives, may all be helpful as sometimes it’s nice to know that you are not alone in what you’re dealing with.