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  • Karen Edmond

Why Talking To A Therapist Can Help People Grappling With The Aftermath Of An Traumatic Event.


All people deal with a variety of hassles on a daily bases. But when a person is traumatized certain care is needed. When experiencing a traumatic event in life, people tend to experience after-effects. A traumatizing event can be an

  • Natural Disaster

  • Bomb Threat

  • Shooting or

  • Physical/Sexual Abuse


Although traumatizing events can be very stressful, said symptoms are very different from stressors in that traumas tend to overwhelm one's average ability to cope. Moreover, "traumas involve a real or perceived threat of death or severe injury." https://www.khealth.com/blog/mental-health/trauma-resources/

Fear, unfortunately, can trigger strong physical reactions in a person's body. When a person perceives a threat, the amygdala (the small organ in the middle of your brain) reacts. The amygdala sends signals to your nervous system, and the outcome of said signal releases puts stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline in motion. Moreover, this biological catalyst prepares the body to "start throwing punches or running for one's life." For traumatized individuals, some areas of the brain commence to shutting down. This can cause a person not to think clearly. This is because the cerebral cortex (the brain area that harnesses reasoning and judgment) can become damaged. Hence a person may be prone not to make good decisions.


Accessing friendly, affordable mental health services via a therapist can assist individuals and groups in realigning themselves to bring themselves back to a state of wellness. Per studies, when an African American seeks a therapist, Black people may be looked down upon. Persons can be shunned for working with a therapist for fear of "putting the family's business out in the street." As well as being seen as" not having faith in God." (Which is untrue.)


People who fear "putting the family business out in the street" should know that because of of HIPPA regulations, their conferences with a therapist are confidential. Plus, acknowledging a truth, such as having difficulty grappling with a traumatizing event, is the first step to stepping out in faith by professing or confessing a truth that must be faced to heal oneself for their overall wellness. (Especially since racism has morphed into a public health issue for Black citizenship.)


Below are some fantastic resources to touch base with if a friend or a family member has experienced a traumatizing event. Please enjoy Roy Ayers Ubiquity "Searching" click link.


References:

https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-social-policy/article/institutional-racism-and-ethnic-inequalities-an-expanded-multilevel-framework/CC0299D0168307C7F6ED1FD891D74245 https://www.psycom.net/black-mental-health-barriers https://www.rwjbh.org/monmouth-medical-center/treatment-care/mental-health-and-behavioral-health/mental-health-services/early-intervention-support-services-eiss-/ https://www.khealth.com/blog/mental-health/trauma-resources/ https://www.healthcentral.com/article/police-brutality-effects-on-black-americans-mental-health?ic=psycomrelatedcontent&utm_medium=germane&utm_campaign=germane_%5C628b9e7ce74def0e73614aca_%5C33678&vhid=628cfa1dca8bf065cc095cd3

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