What is Trauma PART II
Trauma is a huge topic. We recently discussed some working definitions of “trauma” in this blog: https://www.boostcounseling.com/blog-2/whatistrauma but there’s always more to be explored.
What do we mean?
When we bring up trauma, or even say the word “trauma,” people (especially employers) are immediately turned off. They don’t want to discuss it in fear of feeling trapped in someone else’s narrative, going too deep too fast, triggering someone and needing to “manage” them, or some other stigma story that society has created. And sometimes this is true, but the anxiety that builds up with the worry that will be true, forces these conversations into a dark corner, and that’s where they fester. These topics need to be aired out regularly. By ventilating the anxiety surrounding trauma, we diffuse tension, debunk discomfort, promote vulnerability, and improve trusting/working relationships. I’m talking about bringing up these topics in schools, local communities, and especially in the workplace…..I know….take a deep breath. It’s going to be okay….yes I said the workplace.
“And this is because the concept of acknowledging this trauma seems unprofessional.”
This information may not be new to employers, but it’s consistently something that they choose to disregard. And this is because the concept of acknowledging this trauma seems unprofessional. But trends are showing that promoting employee wellness, supporting a safe work environment, and acknowledging your employees needs will stimulate employee productivity, encourage healthy workplace communication, and improve employee retention.
Employees and Trauma
Your employees have experienced trauma. We don’t know what kind. But as we said in part one of our “What is Trauma?” blog, we have ALL experienced trauma. Now, that does not mean that we all have mental health diagnoses. Some of us have had the ability and resources to process through our traumas and live with a positive sense of self and safety. But this is not the case for everyone. Trauma, in general, changes the way we think, relate, and experience the world. We will struggle with managing stressors, handling difficult conversations, and upholding healthy routines/schedules.
Trauma is pervasive and impacts every part of a person’s life, including where they spend 40 hours of their time every week. And we can’t predict how a catastrophic event (or series of dramatic events) may impact someone’s life. So this means that some (if not a lot) of your employees are walking around feeling psychologically overwhelmed and struggling to cope with their daily responsibilities.
There are also some cases in which the work environment itself can be traumatizing: demeaning working conditions, work overload, unclear expectations, sexual harassment, prejudice, incompatibility with job duties/tasks, abusive management or interactions…All in all, trauma is an important phenomena to be aware of.
Understanding Trauma
But how do we determine if someone has been traumatized? Not every stressful or cataclysmic event causes trauma. And not every person who undergoes a traumatic event, undergoes ongoing trauma symptoms. And what can be more confusing, it is that It’s hard to delineate what may be protective to experiencing trauma. But there are certain factors that play a role in the experience of trauma:
- Control: the less control someone has in their life, the more pervasive trauma can be
- Context: if there is a place for someone to talk about and process their trauma, it will be less persistent in their lives
- Resiliency: read our blog on resiliency….resiliency has a moving target of a definition and it’s hard to pin down. But it’s something that easily identifiable when it’s present in someone’s life who undergoes trauma. More resiliency equates a less invasive presence of the trauma.
- Ongoing safety: if someone has undergone trauma are they now safe? If the body/brain detects a lack of safety, then the trauma will be less manageable. Having a safe place to process the trauma and have ongoing positive experiences will allow for a less demanding recovery.
- Support: having positive relationships helps SO MUCH in processing trauma. Relationships are reparative. They show that trust, honesty, and love still exist. Fear and anguish can’t persist if love and support fill the individual’s life.
- Sense of self: if the individual has a positive sense of self to begin with and see themselves as someone worthy of love, support, and positive life events then the ability to process trauma becomes easier.
If you are an employer…please start the process of understanding trauma and its effects. Your employees are first and foremost PEOPLE. They need to feel supported, heard, and known. This doesn’t mean you have to run therapy groups every lunch break, but it does mean that educating yourselves will better serve the people who serve you.