ABSTRACT
Traumatic events are, by definition, memorable: stressful events or situations (either short or long lasting) of exceptionally threatening or catastrophic nature, which are likely to cause pervasive distress in almost everyone. With public, large-scale traumatic events, the memory may be held collectively with annual events, symbols and occasionally parades. People are likely to know they have been part of a traumatic event and ask for help if struggling with emotions. Memory, though, can be an inconstant and poor storage facility. The impact of many traumatic events may go unrecognised by patient and clinician though its legacy is played out in every interaction.
This chapter explores further:
The different types of trauma; advice to give after single traumatic incidents and how traumatic events can impact the brain both at the time and for many years afterwards.
Considering adverse childhood experiences (ACE) as trauma.
What symptoms, signs and presentations may make you consider trauma in a patient’s history and how to gain skills to ask about traumatic events.
Arousal and how to calm an aroused person.
The different roads to recovery and its many stages including pre-treatment therapy.
