What is the cognitive impact of trauma?
What is the Cognitive Impact of Trauma?
What is Trauma?
A trauma is a deeply distressing and disturbing experience. They are often defined as “experiences which are life threatening or pose a significant threat to a person’s physical or psychological wellbeing”.[1]
Examples of potentially traumatic events include:
- Sexual and/or physical abuse.
- Sudden unexpected or violent death of someone close (e.g. accident, suicide).
- Natural disaster (e.g. earthquake, flood, bushfire).
- Involvement in a serious car accident.
- War or political violence (e.g. terrorism, becoming a refugee, civil war).
A person’s available support following a trauma, past life experiences, physical health, mental health and coping skills can all influence how they respond to such an event.[2]
How does Trauma impact the brain?
The symptoms of trauma can present in many different ways. These can be short and long term, and can be grouped into four main categories; cognitive (thinking), behavioural (things we do), physical and emotional.[3]
Physical | Cognitive | Behavioural | Emotional |
Excessive alertness, on the look-out for signs of danger
Easily startled Fatigue/exhaustion Disturbed sleep General aches and pains |
Intrusive thoughts and memories of the event
Visual images of the event Nightmares Poor concentration and memory Disorientation Confusion |
Avoidance of places or activities that are reminders of the event
Social withdrawal and isolations Loss of interest in normal activities |
Fear
Numbness and detachment Depression Guilt Anger and irritability Anxiety and panic |
[1] The Australian Psychological Society Limited (2018). Trauma. Retrieved from https://www.psychology.org.au/for-the-public/Psychology-topics/Trauma
[2] Phoenix Australia – Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health, (2013). Australian Guidelines for the Treatment of Acute Stress Disorder & Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Retrieved from https://phoenixaustralia.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Phoenix-ASD-PTSD-Guidelines.pdf
[3] APS (2018)