UNDERSTANDING

TRAUMA

WHAT IS TRAUMA AND WHAT EXAMPLE CAUSES OF

CAUSES IT? TRAUMA:
• Accidents, falls, injuries
Trauma refers to reactions in response • Robbery
to events that are experienced as • Having a terminal
threatening to our lives or safety or are illness/receiving a
highly stressful. Trauma is a subjective diagnosis
experience and is dependent on how an • Death of a loved one
individual personally experiences an • Domestic violence,
event. Many different types of assault, abuse
• Divorce or break up of a
reactions to traumatic events can
significant relationship
occur, and people experience many
• Natural disasters,
different types of trauma. pandemics

IS WHAT I’M FEELING NORMAL? COMMON EMOTIONAL &

Trauma reactions are normal reactions
to often abnormal events and can be
experienced immediately after, and for
a while after the traumatic event has
taken place. Therefore, if you have gone
through a trauma, you should not
expect yourself to behave and act as
you normally did straight after the
trauma. Trauma reactions will generally
resolve by themselves over time,
decreasing in intensity and frequency,
anywhere from a few days to a few
weeks. However, they may be
spontaneously triggered by memories
of the trauma; or by an image, sound or
smell that is a reminder.
PHYSICAL REACTIONS:
• Shock, denial, disbelief
• Fear or anxiety
• Guilt, shame, self-blame
• Sadness, hopeless,
crying
• Low concentration, focus
• Avoiding reminders of
the event
• Irritable, agitated, angry
• Disconnected, numb
• Nightmares, flashbacks
• Sleeping difficulties,
fatigue
• Changes in appetite
• Aware, easily startled
• Worried about safety of
loved ones
WHAT STRATEGIES CAN HELP ME GETTING FURTHER
COPE WITH TRAUMA? SUPPORT IF NEEDED:
It may be recommended
Avoid self-isolating to seek professional help
You may feel the urge to withdraw from or counselling for severe
those around you but avoid spending or prolonged reactions
too much time alone. Be intentional to trauma.
about connecting with others as
isolation can prolong healing.
WHATSAPP
Ask for support Send the Dell Young
Share your thoughts and feelings with Leaders team a
those you trust as this can help to
message on
process your experience.
060 070 2369
Document your thoughts
and feelings UNIVERSITY
You may find sharing your thoughts HOTLINES
and feelings in a diary , journal, or blog Stellenbosch University
helpful to process your experience.
010 205 3032
Establish a daily routine University of Cape Town
Establishing a structured daily routine 0800 24 24 26
(or continuing with the one you had
before the trauma) can help to University of Pretoria
ground you. Include activities that 0800 747 747
help you to relax.

Be patient with yourself SADAG

For a while afterwards, you may not
Access support 24/7
feel your normal self. This can be Call 0800 36 36 36
uncomfortable and unsettling. Give SMS 43336
yourself time. Everyone heals at their
own pace.

SOURCES & MORE

WHEN WILL THINGS IMPROVE? INFORMATION:
With these strategies and support from family &
friends you will likely recover over time. Severe The South African
or prolonged impact may present in these ways: Depression & Anxiety Group

• Trouble functioning day to day Trauma Clinic Counselling

• Terrifying memories, flashbacks, nightmares South Africa
• Thinking about (or already) using unhealthy
coping mechanisms like drugs and alcohol
• Severe fear, anxiety or depression