Psychiatric & Mental Health Nursing

Biography

Biography: Shara R Ally

Abstract

Statement of the Problem: Trauma is conceptualized as direct or indirect physical, sexual and/or psychological abuse. Direct trauma (DT) is when the victim is abused by the perpetrator directly. Indirect trauma (IT) is when a person witnesses another person who is experiencing DT or helping another person (such as a patient) who has experienced DT or IT. Re-traumatization is when an individual encounters DT or IT similar to a previous experience of trauma. The impact of trauma will be different for each person. This is dependent on one’s ability to recognize when/if he or she is experiencing trauma and ability to cope with it. The impact may skew one’s natural motivational skills, socialization, and alter one’s decision making-processes due to changes in one’s ability to trust, communicate thoughts and feelings as well as maintain appropriate boundaries with others. If you are a victim of trauma, it is helpful to be cognizant of the fact that the perpetrator most likely was exposed to trauma themselves. Knowledge and empathy are platforms of power, which can be used during difficult situations and conversations to protect ourselves from trauma, while providing augmented care to patients who are learning how to manage their own trauma. Research provides evidence that learning about trauma is important as it helps caregivers identify if patients or themselves are becoming triggered and how one can navigate through these difficult situations. Participating in therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy or dialectical behaviour therapy will provide advantages for caregivers in their personal and professional lives as they will learn to place healthy interpersonal boundaries with patients while reducing the risk of being impacted by DT or IT.