NHS Lanarkshire Sexual Health

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Emotional & Mental Wellbeing

Trauma

If you have experienced abuse - childhood sexual abuse, rape or sexual assault or domestic abuse - at any time in your life, this can be physically and emotionally traumatic.

Everyone is different and we all respond to events in our lives in our own way. If you have experienced Trauma repeatedly over a long time, or it has got worse, then you might have more extreme responses. Sometimes we try not to think about what has happened to us because we feel ashamed or guilty or angry. Locking away these feelings can sometimes make it difficult for us to respond to others, or to understand how the trauma has affected us.

Some effects of trauma can include:

Physical Reactions

aches and pains like headaches, backaches, stomach aches
sudden sweating and/or heart Palpitations (fluttering)
changes in sleep patterns, appetite, interest in Sex
constipation or diarrhoea
easily startled by noises or unexpected touch
more susceptible to colds and Illnesses
increased use of alcohol or drugs
overeating or undereating

Emotional Reactions

shock and disbelief
fear and/or Anxiety
grief, disorientation, denial
hyper-alertness or hypervigilance
irritability, restlessness, outbursts of anger or rage
emotional swings -- like crying and then laughing
worrying or ruminating -- intrusive thoughts of the trauma
nightmares
flashbacks -- feeling like the trauma is happening now
feelings of helplessness, panic, feeling out of control
increased need to control everyday experiences
minimizing the experience
attempts to avoid anything associated with trauma
tendency to isolate oneself
feelings of detachment
concern over burdening others with problems
emotional numbing or restricted range of feelings
difficulty trusting and/or feelings of betrayal
difficulty concentrating or remembering
feelings of self-blame and/or survivor guilt
shame
diminished interest in everyday activities or Depression
unpleasant past memories resurfacing
loss of a sense of order or fairness in the world; expectation of doom and fear of the future

These are all perfectly normal responses to abnormal events and do not mean you are going mad. Many people feel better simply with the support of family or friends. If you don't want to speak to someone you know, you may feel better if you seek help to understand the symptoms you are having and how best to manage them. You can speak to someone confidentially about how the events have affected you. You do not have to explain what has happened - just how you are feeling.

Contacts

EVA Services, based in NHS Lanarkshire (currently operating in North Lanarkshire only) - 01236 707 767 (Mon - Fri, 9am - 5pm) http://www.nhslanarkshire.org.uk/Services/EVA+Services/ (EVA can help and support you if you are a woman experiencing domestic abuse, and also have specialist counselling and psychology services for women who have experienced trauma at any time in their lives)
Speak to your GP about counselling, or a referral to psychology or psychiatry.
Rape Crisis Scotland Helpline: 08088 01 03 02 (daily, 6pm to midnight) www.rapecrisisscotland.org.uk
Lanarkshire Rape Crisis: 01698 527003 (Mon/Wed 1pm - 3.30pm, Tue/Thu 6.30pm - 8.30pm), www.lanrcc.org.uk. LRCC will talk to any woman or girl who has had an unwanted sexual experience.
Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0800 027 1234 (24 hour, confidential, free from landlines - mobile costs may vary) www.domesticabuse.co.uk

Last Updated ( Monday, 21 April 2008 )