Traumatic events affect the body, mind, emotions, and ultimately one's behavior. They are classified as witnessing or experiencing the sudden or violent death of a loved one or others you care about, as well as, serious physical injury, molestation, sexual, physical, mental, or emotional abuse by family members, spouse, or person in society. Mental effects of trauma include heightened awareness, dissociation from emotional pain, denial of the event happening, difficulty concentrating, poor attention span, memory problems, and nightmares. Emotional effects include fear, inability to feel safe, loss of trust in self and others, loss of self-esteem, shame, guilt, anger, and feeling numb and overwhelmed.Physical effects include anxiety, depression, panic attacks, fatigue, elevated vital signs, and stomach distress. When these symptoms are not addressed by a medical doctor or a therapist and worsen after three months, post-traumatic stress disorder can become evident.
