Interesting research from Dr Phobe Tucker, U.S., has shown sustained changes following trauma of body responses in the flight fight mode. Increased blood pressure, heart rate, cortisol levels with subsequent autonomic, immune and neuro-endocrine changes were found years after a traumatic incident and even after the emotional aspects of PTSD had ceased. This raises the possibility of long term changes in the body and the subsequent medical effects of these.
It will be interesting to see the effects of treatment and resiliency factors on these long term changes.Israel has sadly had its fair share of trauma and leads the world in management of PTSD using psychotherapy. You can access their website http://www.traumaweb.org/content.asp?PageId=163&lang=En
As we all experience traumas, some big some small, on a daily basis, I wonder if there is an accumulation process or a threshold for experience that triggers autonomic responses. More research into resiliency is needed, who and why has more inborn capacity and what are the protective factors. We know already that maturity plays a great role and trauma can be more difficult for children to understand and process. We know that people who do not have anxiety and depression before an incident will do better so this is a risk factor in trauma responses and critical incident stress debriefing. We know that those people who are in a relationship and have a supportive network of family, friends and colleagues will have better outcomes. It is often difficult for family and friends to know what to do or how to help. I think, just listen and accept that it is beyond understanding or help validates a person's experience and their response. There is a lot to be said for the warmth of human to human touch in the healing process.
It will be interesting to see the effects of treatment and resiliency factors on these long term changes.Israel has sadly had its fair share of trauma and leads the world in management of PTSD using psychotherapy. You can access their website http://www.traumaweb.org/content.asp?PageId=163&lang=En
As we all experience traumas, some big some small, on a daily basis, I wonder if there is an accumulation process or a threshold for experience that triggers autonomic responses. More research into resiliency is needed, who and why has more inborn capacity and what are the protective factors. We know already that maturity plays a great role and trauma can be more difficult for children to understand and process. We know that people who do not have anxiety and depression before an incident will do better so this is a risk factor in trauma responses and critical incident stress debriefing. We know that those people who are in a relationship and have a supportive network of family, friends and colleagues will have better outcomes. It is often difficult for family and friends to know what to do or how to help. I think, just listen and accept that it is beyond understanding or help validates a person's experience and their response. There is a lot to be said for the warmth of human to human touch in the healing process.
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