The Impact of Trauma on the Psyche

Abstract

Psychological trauma refers to psychological damage resulting from an injury which may overwhelm a person’s ability to emotionally cope with the experience and/or causes the person to believe that his/her life is in danger.

A delirious state is a common consequence of trauma.

• It should be recognized as a medical emergency.

• It can rapidly progress to death if not managed appropriately.

• It is of paramount importance to distinguish this state from primary psychiatric conditions so as to avoid mismanagement of the patient with possible devastating consequences.

• The majority of cases are reversible with rapid improvement when the underlying pathology is remedied.

Psychiatric disorders that arise in the aftermath to exposure to trauma have three main features. Firstly, the onset of problems or disorders is clearly linked to a significant and identifiable event (and presumably problems and disorder would not have developed without exposure to the event). Secondly, the problems must cause significant impairment in functionality. Thirdly, they share characteristic symptoms, which can include elevated physical and emotional reactivity to reminders of the event, attempts to avoid exposure to reminders, symptoms of depression and anxiety, and possible dissociation.

Identified acute trauma-related disorders include Acute Stress Reaction, Acute Stress Disorder, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.

The management of psychological trauma includes early intervention strategies, indicated prevention, case identification, and early treatment.