by A’tasha Christian, LPC, E.d.
Understanding Trauma
Many healing groups and counselors are convening to identify how to incorporate the effects of COVID-19 into generational and cultural healing. I recommend that all practitioners, whether physical or medical, begin by administering the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) questionnaire. This is a questionnaire that is free and takes less than 5 minutes to complete. It was created to determine if the experiences someone underwent as a child have an impact on physical health challenges as an adult. This can provide a framework for practitioners. Medical providers can then work to refer patients to the mental health community and mental health providers can then make referrals to a medical provider for care. Ideally, this will ensure that our communities are receiving comprehensive care.
For individuals, go to Aces Too High
For practitioners, go to the Centers for Disease Control
Trauma and the Human Body
Trauma can show up in the body through a variety of symptoms and diagnoses:
- Insomnia or nightmares
- Being startled easily
- Racing heartbeat
- Aches and pains
- Fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating
- Edginess and agitation
- Muscle tension
- Hypertension
- Migraines
- Bedwetting
- Chronic Nausea
Resources
Books (available on Amazon)
The Body Keeps The Score: Brain, Mind and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel Van der Kolk
The Pain Didn’t Start Here: Trauma, Violence and the African-American Community by Denise Hicks-Ray