IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO BE "FUNCTIONAL", YOU NEED TO BE IN BALANCE AND AT PEASE WITH THE PAST TO BE ABLE TO REALLY ENJOY LIFE INSTEAD OF JUST SURVIVING IT.
Hello!
The test you answered is an indicator of your level of trauma and the impacts it may have on your life. Your results suggest that you show moderate symptoms of psychological trauma. This means you have faced and perhaps still face some challenges in different areas of your life. Still, you have found ways to keep up with external demands relatively well, regulate your emotions, preserve acceptable self-esteem and maintain important relationships. In medical jargon, it can be said that you are functional (we don't like this term because we know how high the emotional, cognitive and physical costs are of continuing to function even when we are in intense psychological distress – it's not enough to be functional, you need to be in balance and at peace with the past to be able to really enjoy life instead of just surviving it). Moderate symptoms of trauma can be a consequence of exposure to traumatic stress in childhood or adolescence due to factors such as family dynamics, socioeconomic level, the physical and mental health conditions of parents, the community in which you were raised, and personal characteristics, among many other aspects that determine the formation of trauma. It is also possible that you did not have adequate nor sufficient emotional support to overcome the potentially traumatic experiences you lived, and you had to develop coping strategies on your own that allowed you to survive and get to where you are – but that may not be completely healthy, effective or suitable for you anymore.
Pathogenic agents
Several factors may have contributed to your developing trauma symptoms – these are called pathogenic agents, which favour the emergence or worsening of psychological symptoms. Among them, we can highlight chronic stress in childhood or adolescence, potentially traumatic adverse events, chemical imbalance in the brain, and substance abuse, among others that can increase the risk of a chronic dysregulation of our nervous system and cause intense mental suffering. Pathogenic agents are influenced by the environment (especially our closest relationships, chemical brain
chemical brain imbalance, substance abuse, among many others that can precipitate or aggravate the risks for a lasting nervous system dysregulation and cause immense suffering.
Protective factors
However, just as pathogenic agents threaten cognitive and emotional development + physical and mental health, there are protective agents - they are those factors that function as a kind of counterweight or buffer against possible damage caused by potentially traumatic events. Among them, we can highlight a safe and stable family environment, a good social support network, financial conditions that allow
access to information, mental health services and appropriate treatments, our genetic inheritance (which can favour or harm us from birth, depending on inherited susceptibilities and sensitivities) and individual resilience (which, in turn, depends on protective factors to develop).
LIFE EXPERIENCES MAY ALSO CONTAIN TOXIC AGENTS EXTREMELY HARMFUL TO OUR MENTAL HEALTH
Complex interplay
As you can see, understanding the role of the complex interplay between pathogens and protective agents that are at the root of all types of trauma is the first step in making an accurate diagnosis of the many forms of mental suffering. Only from this understanding can we collectively prevent trauma, make the world a safer and more welcoming place, and improve the mental health and well-being of us all.
PREVENTING TRAUMA MEANS MAKING THE WORLD SAFER AND MORE ACCEPTING FOR EVERYONE, STARTING WITHIN OUR OWN HOUSES.
YOUR FULL REPORT?
YES!
This is a generic report prepared from your test results. Would you like to know exactly how you scored in each category assessed, and how the signs of trauma affect your life? We will be happy to prepare a detailed individual report. Please complete this form to make your request.
WANT TO KNOW MORE?
Do you want to know about the types of trauma and their life-long consequences? About trauma prevention, dysfunctional families and abusive relationships? And what is the role of society in causing and preventing trauma? Discover our online courses, workshops and lectures at our services page.
