The stress of surviving a traumatic event can have many effects on both the body and the mind. It is important not to ignore the symptoms of stress if we are to overcome the effects of a traumatic event.
Traumatic events seem to occur on a daily basis. In the news, we see countries waging war, or the innocent victims of crimes, but what we don’t see is the long-term impact on survivors.
Any event that negatively impacts an individual’s life can be considered traumatic: the loss of a family member, getting fired from a job, or a pet running away. All of these events have the potential to be traumatic. So how do we move forward in the face of traumatic stress? The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has created a document to help identify the symptoms of traumatic stress, and strategies for coping.