Jälkitauti

Jälkitauti is a Finnish concept that refers to the immediate consequences of a traumatic event. The term 'jälkitauti' translates to "after-disease" or " sequela" in English, emphasizing the idea that the effects of trauma are not limited to the initial incident, but can persist and manifest in various ways afterwards.

In the context of Finnish culture and psychology, jälkitauti encompasses the physical, emotional, and psychological symptoms that can arise in the aftermath of a traumatic event, such as a natural disaster, a crime, or a severe accident. These symptoms can include anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other mental health issues.

The concept of jälkitauti is closely related to the idea of "finished trauma" (turmanumbertapa), coined by Finnish psychologist Matti Epponen. Epponen's work highlighted the importance of acknowledging and processing trauma, rather than repressing or "finishing" it. Jälkitauti thus recognizes that the effects of trauma are not always immediately apparent and can resurface in unexpected ways.

Traditionally, jälkitauti has been understood as a condition affecting individuals who have experienced a traumatic event, but recent research has expanded this understanding to include the broader collective impact of trauma on a community, triggering societal shockwaves, grief and trauma also visited children during and those impending traumas.

This complex dynamic highlights the need for comprehensive and nuanced approaches to understanding and addressing trauma and its effects.