Injury: Trauma can be characterized as, “an occasion, series of occasions, or situation experienced by a person as truly or genuinely hurtful or hazardous with enduring unfavorable impacts on the singular’s working and mental, physical, social, close to home, or otherworldly prosperity.” You may take Online Counselling session if you are facing such issues.
Trauma can affect anyone, regardless of gender or age, in any part of the world. Trauma makes no distinctions. Among the traumatic events are:
- An accident or a medical trauma
- Adult sexual or physical abuse
- A natural calamity
Individuals may suffer from a variety of mental health conditions as a result of trauma, including anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPSTD), and dissociative disorders, for example, conflicting personality psychosis (DID: in the event that the injury was rehashed and in the youth before age 6).
The Mind And The Body: The Link Between The Two:
They can have a variety of effects on one another. We also know that stress and pain create a vicious circle that feeds off of one another. Stress can aggravate pain in a variety of ways, including tense muscles and increased inflammation. Trauma and unresolved emotional issues cause stress, which feeds the pain and stress cycle.
This means that when we experience trauma, it can have both emotional and physical consequences. This does not diminish the validity of our chronic pain or imply that it is ‘all in our heads,’ as stigma frequently implies. Our brains are responsible for all pain. Chronic pain is as real as acute pain. As well as any other physical health issue.
Symptoms that Can Influence Chronic Pain:
Re-Experiencing:
Patients who have experienced trauma may ‘re-live’ aspects of their trauma through re-experiencing. This is unintentional and extremely distressing. It can entail reliving certain aspects of the trauma, such as physical sensations, sights, sounds, smells, or emotions as if they were happening again. This can manifest as flashbacks or nightmares, among other things.
Disturbed Sleep:
Patients who have experienced trauma frequently struggle to sleep soundly. This is frequently due to the re-experiencing that we discussed. Chronic pain patients frequently experience insomnia and non-restorative sleep. As well as sleep deprivation can exacerbate chronic pain symptoms and make it more difficult for patients to cope.
Emotional Numbing:
Patients suffering from trauma’s effects may withdraw and avoid social connections or activities. This could be due to a desire to avoid anything that might remind them of their trauma or potential triggers.
Hyperarousal:
They may be extremely anxious and find it difficult to unwind. These hyperarousal symptoms can cause painful tense muscles and contribute to chronic pain. This hyper-arousal state also feeds the stress and pain cycle.
Inability to Regulate Emotions:
Trauma survivors frequently exhibit an inability to regulate emotions (particularly negative emotions). These difficulties can result in maladaptive (unhelpful) coping behaviors in terms of mental and physical health.
Negative Perception of Pain:
Trauma survivors are more likely to have a negative outlook on their future and their own abilities. These negative pain beliefs have a serious impact on chronic pain management and pain levels.
Possible Treatments
There are psychological therapies available to treat mental illness and trauma. Many psychological therapies for chronic pain are also very effective. These therapies can be taken in offline modes and there are many online counselling platforms that may also help.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy:
To deal with pain and emotional distress, CBT can help to introduce more positive thoughts and, as a result, more adaptive coping behaviors. Patients can change their way of thinking and feel empowered, ready to take control of their lives, thanks to CBT.
Pain Management Programmes:
Pain management programs and clinics treat patients as a whole, employing treatment approaches that address both the body and the mind. Psychological therapies are frequently used as part of pain management programs. Symptoms can be significantly reduced when these therapies are combined with more manual treatments, such as physical therapy.
Mindfulness:
Mindfulness is an excellent way to learn to reduce stress and regulate your emotions. So, which will help you to manage your chronic pain symptoms. Guided mindfulness can provide you with the tools you need to practice mindfulness in your daily life. So, this reduces stress and can help you deal with re-experiencing if you struggle with trauma.
What Can You Do if You are Suffering from Trauma and Chronic Pain?
There are numerous ways to help yourself if you suffer from trauma and chronic pain:
Speak with Someone You Trust:
Expressing your feelings to someone you trust, whether a loved one or an online counsellor, can make you feel more supported and less alone. They may be able to assist you in seeking treatment and developing better coping mechanisms.
Seeking Medical Attention:
There are numerous treatment options for both trauma and chronic pain. These are only a couple of the medicines accessible. Speak with your doctor or specialist and speak up for yourself. You can seek treatment on your own. As well as you can get help for your chronic pain by using a chronic pain relief app like ours. You can find psychological therapy options to help you deal with your trauma through online counselling.
