Latest News:
The purpose of Denim Day is two-fold: first and foremost, to increase awareness of the services STTAR Center provides to trauma victims, and second, to raise funds to support our crisis and counseling services for sexual assault victims. Read More
Denim Day Supporter:
Trauma Survivors
Psychological Trauma
As many as 70% of adults have experienced at least one major traumatic event such as child abuse, rape, violent crime, or serious accident. Most trauma victims experience short-term distress and decreased ability to function in daily life. Many victims develop chronic conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, panic disorder, and depression. Without treatment, these conditions can significantly impair victims’ functioning at school, work or home. Some adolescent and adult victims abuse substances to cope with their symptoms further complicating their condition.
Common psychological trauma symptoms include:
- Intrusive thoughts about the event
- Flashbacks
- Nightmares
- Severe reactions to reminders of the event
- Avoidance of any reminders of the event
- Loss of interest in daily life
- Feelings of detachment and isolation
- Feeling numb
- Difficulty sleeping
- Irritability or outbursts of anger
- Difficulty concentrating
- Hypervigilance
- Easily startled
- Depression
- Suicidal thoughts and feelings
Victims experiencing chronic trauma symptoms are unlikely to recover without professional help.