Traumahäiriöissä

Traumahäiriöissä, or trauma disorders in English, refers to a category of mental health conditions that can develop following exposure to a traumatic event. A traumatic event is generally defined as an experience that involves actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence. This exposure can be direct, witnessed, or learned about second-hand concerning a close family member or friend.

The most well-known traumahäiriö is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Individuals with PTSD often experience intrusive memories of the event, nightmares, avoidance of reminders of the trauma, negative changes in thinking and mood, and hyperarousal symptoms such as being easily startled or having difficulty sleeping. Other trauma-related disorders include Acute Stress Disorder (ASD), which shares many symptoms with PTSD but occurs within the first month after the trauma, and Adjustment Disorders, which involve emotional or behavioral symptoms in response to an identifiable stressor that is not life-threatening.

The development of a traumahäiriö is not a universal response to trauma. Many individuals exposed to traumatic events do not develop these disorders. Factors influencing the likelihood of developing a traumahäiriö can include the severity and duration of the trauma, the individual's prior experiences, their social support system, and their genetic predisposition. Diagnosis and treatment are typically provided by mental health professionals and can involve psychotherapy (such as trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing - EMDR) and sometimes medication.