AIM to Get Better at Understanding “Individual Trauma”

“Individual trauma results from an event or series of events, or set or circumstances that… has lasting adverse effects on the individual’s functioning and mental, physical, social, emotional or spiritual well- being” (NHS Education for Scotland 2020)

70% – 90% of adults may have experienced a traumatic event in their lifetime.(Reynolds et al 2016; Spitzer C et al 2008). Some people may recover relatively quickly without any long lasting effects. But others may be left with debilitating symptoms that affect them for the rest of their life. You are more likely to experience long lasting effects if you experienced repeated trauma, such as domestic violence or sexual abuse, particularly if this happened to you as a child. If your symptoms are so severe that you have sought professional help, you may be diagnosed with a trauma related condition such as Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD). But the reality is many people do not seek help. This could be due to a variety of factors, such as using complex coping mechanisms, (for example dissociation or denial) to completely block out the memory of what happened to them. Its also possible that the person may seek help for symptoms such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders or self harm, without ever disclosing to anyone what happened to them. People living with individual trauma will have usually developed some very complex coping mechanisms in order to survive. Friends, families and others trying to support them may struggle to understand these behaviours and feel powerless to help.

At AIM to Get Better, we have the personal experience, the professional skills and the academic insight to support you if you are living with individual trauma. We do not offer counselling or therapy, but we can listen with understanding and empathy, help you realise that you are not alone and signpost you to information, resources, helplines and professional support.