The impact of crisis and trauma on our mental well-being
In recent years, South Africa has faced numerous crises, from economic downturns and political unrest to widespread violence and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. These challenges, coupled with a high rate of trauma stemming from crime, poverty, and historical inequalities, have profoundly affected individuals’ mental well-being. Understanding the impact of these events and how they shape our mental health will offer insights into ways we can foster resilience and healing through trauma-focused counselling.
The differences between a crisis and trauma
A crisis is a sudden event that causes serious problems for people, groups, or communities. It happens unexpectedly and needs quick action to reduce its impact. While a crisis can interrupt normal life, it doesn’t always lead to long-term psychological trauma. A crisis may be a natural disaster that causes infrastructure damage, forces people from their homes, impacts their safety and results in confusion and fear. Individuals may feel stressed and anxious during a crisis, but most will recover once the situation is under control.
On the other hand, a traumatic experience involves facing events that cause serious physical or mental harm and have lasting psychological effects. Trauma may include experiencing death, abuse, violence, or life-threatening situations. In South Africa, violence resulting in serious injury and intense fear among survivors is just one example of a traumatic event. These types of events may lead to deep mental distress and physical suffering, with a high risk of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and other psychological issues. Survivors often need specialised therapy and care over an extensive period.
Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and when to get help
People exposed to traumatic events are more likely to develop PTSD with symptoms including:
Intrusive memories, flashbacks, and nightmares;
Severe anxiety and avoiding reminders of the trauma;
Being overly alert and having difficulty sleeping.
If you suspect that you may have some of these symptoms of PTSD after a traumatic event occurred, it is safer to speak to your mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist, to get the necessary assistance. PTSD should be diagnosed and treated by the correct professionals to limit the negative impact on daily life while working towards recovery.
Other consequences of traumatic events
Survivor Guilt and Physical Injuries: Survivor guilt may present when an individual survives a disaster while others do not, leading to feelings of sorrow and questioning the reasons for being spared. Physical injuries from traumatic events can add to emotional trauma, making social interactions, job performance, and daily life more challenging.
Vicarious Trauma and Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS): Witnessing traumatic events, even second-hand, can lead to vicarious trauma. First responders and healthcare workers often experience STS, which has symptoms similar to PTSD. Both conditions can cause long-term mental health issues.
Financial and Social Consequences: Crimes like theft, burglary, and fraud can cause financial problems, adding to the victim’s stress. Victims might also withdraw from social activities, leading to isolation and more mental suffering. Personal relationships can become strained, and victims might turn to harmful coping mechanisms like substance abuse.
How do we assist those who fell victim to crisis and trauma?
Using Psychological First Aid (PFA) principles helps us address the emotional, psychological, and practical needs of those affected by traumatic or stressful life events. We focus on providing individuals with safety, comfort, stability, and information to help them understand their trauma reactions.
During counselling sessions, we help individuals express their feelings while creating an understanding of the reactions they may experience. To ensure individuals stay connected to the present, we teach grounding techniques and breathing exercises to reduce overwhelming sensations or emotions during or after the session. These skills can be used alone should uncomfortable thoughts, emotions, or physical reactions arise at any other stage outside of a counselling session. Individuals will not only be able to understand what they are going through and how to deal with it but also have practical guidelines on challenging their thought patterns that may contribute to their reactions.