Freedom from Family Life traumas (pt. 2)
COMMON PHASES OF RESPONSE TO TRAUMA
OUTCRY PHASE: The immediate response to a traumatic event may range from acute alarm (mild attack of fear, though very serious) to stunned inability to take in the meaning of the experience (leading to panic attack).
DENIAL PHASE: Following the initial shock, some people may experience denial lasting weeks or months before manifesting emotional responses to the trauma. Symptoms include: amnesia, numbness, sleep disturbances, somatic symptoms, frantic over-activity and withdrawal.
INTRUSIVE PHASE: This is characterized by experience of flash recollection of the trauma resulting in what can be described as sudden emergence of exaggerated startled responses, intrusive thoughts, and preoccupation, sleep and REM disturbances. This can lead to considerable anxiety and a fear of going insane. Most individuals will respond well to reassurances that these experiences are normal and transient.
WORKING THROUGH PHASE: During this phase, individuals examine meanings of the traumatic event and other associated events and memories. They mourn loses and injuries and consider new plans for coping with future.
COMPLETION PHASE: This phase is reached when the person recognize the impact of the trauma on their psyches, exhibit hopeful plans for the future and have resumed normal life, work, and leisure activities.
PATHOLOGICAL REACTIONS TO TRAUMA
MALDAPTIVE RESPONSES: This includes anxiety attacks, withdrawals, substance abuse, psychosomatic reactions, depression, psychoses and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
SELF-IMAGE DISTORTION: Identity impairment and poor self-image
RELATIONAL IMPAIRMENT: Moderate to severe impairment in family/marriage/sexual functioning, work/social functioning and spiritual functioning.
TRAUMAS OF FAMILY LIFE
This implies a family life filled with and producing conflict and destructive interpersonal behaviours and attitudes. This eventually becomes the reality of the nature of interactions experienced by members in such a family
SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF A HEALTHY FAMILY
Communicates and listens
Affirms and supports one another
Develops a sense of trust
Demonstrates respect toward one another
Has a sense of play and humour
Exhibits a sense of shared responsibility
Teaches the Truth on what is Wrong and what is Right
Has a strong sense of family virtues
Share a common Christian/Biblical Values
Spends time together in active interactions
Admits mistakes, seeks and received forgiveness
Supports one another in careers and calling.
STAGES IN FAMILY LIFE TRAUMAS
Marriage Adjustment- This occurs during the 1st to 5th year of marriage and may last longer
Separation which may lead to Divorce
Pressure of work or at work
Buying a property
Infertility
Pregnancy or birth complications
Arrival of new baby in the family
Raising children
Menopause
Unemployment
Debilitating illnesses such as mental illness (Alzheimer, Bipolar etc.)
Death in the family
