– Specialist Psychiatrist Prasad Mohotti
“Trauma is not what happens to us, but what we hold in the absence of an empathic witness.” This is a statement attributed to Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, which captures the essence of his work on trauma.
Psychological trauma extends beyond immediate physical injuries or visible scars. It encompasses the emotional and psychological toll that individuals bear internally, often exacerbated by the absence of empathetic witnesses. Trauma is a deeply personal experience, and understanding its complexity is crucial for effective healing.
The Nature of Grief and Complicated Grief
Grief is a natural response to loss, but not all grief is the same. Normal grief involves a process where individuals come to terms with their loss, eventually finding a way to continue living despite it. However, complicated grief, such as that caused by violent deaths, abductions, or disappearances, often lacks closure. This type of grief can lead to prolonged and intense emotional pain, making recovery challenging. In such cases, the lack of closure can manifest in denial and other severe psychological conditions, including PTSD.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSD is a chronic condition triggered by life-threatening events. Symptoms include severe anxiety, flashbacks, and intrusive thoughts. Individuals with PTSD often relive the traumatic event, experiencing it as if it were happening again, which severely disrupts their daily lives. Effective treatment requires a comprehensive understanding of these symptoms and a supportive environment that encourages healing.
Displacement and Identity Crisis
Displacement due to urbanization, conflict, or other factors can lead to profound identity crises. There is a deep psychological connection individuals have with their living environments. Losing one’s home or being uprooted from familiar surroundings can result in significant mental distress and a sense of dislocation. This is often compounded by social upheaval and identity struggles that follow such displacement.
Professor Ashis Nandy, an Indian political psychologist and social theorist known for his work on postcolonial studies, has explored themes such as the impact of urbanization, displacement, and identity crises on mental health, emphasizing how losing a connection with one’s living environment can lead to psychological stress and upheaval.
Social Unrest and Collective Trauma
Post-disaster societies frequently experience collective trauma, where entire communities suffer the consequences of a traumatic event. This collective trauma can manifest in various ways, including increased substance abuse, domestic violence, and community-wide mistrust. Social cohesion is often weakened, leading to a breakdown in traditional family structures and community bonds.
Trauma Grid, is a concept introduced by Renos Papadopoulos in 2007. This grid is used to assess the impact of trauma on different levels: individual, family, community, and socio-cultural. The grid is structured to evaluate how trauma affects these levels either negatively or positively or in a combination of both at individual, family, community and socio-cultural layers.
The impact of civil strife on family structures is profound. During conflicts, the loss of children and spouses is tragically common, destabilizing families emotionally and structurally. As societal roles shift, particularly in the context of war, women face increased burdens and responsibilities, which reshape traditional gender roles. Furthermore, child abuse escalates as societal and family protections weaken, exacerbating the vulnerabilities of the youngest members. Alcohol abuse becomes more prevalent too, significantly straining family and community bonds. These shifts reflect the deep and varied impacts that conflict has on the fundamental social unit, underscoring the extensive rehabilitative efforts needed to restore these foundational structures post-conflict.
Widespread psychological and social disruptions lead to deep-seated collective trauma, fostering an environment of distrust and suspicion within a community. This scenario creates a dependency on others for mental support, curtails individual independence, and results in reduced societal engagement. Consequently, communities become passive, lacking in leadership and new political figures. The disintegration of traditional family structures and the neglect of established social norms and moral values contribute further to societal fragmentation. Notable instances like mass hysteria and the mystic phenomena of deity statues weeping or Buddha statues emanating lights, as documented by Greas Putham (Hariharan, 2011), exemplify the profound distress and disorientation afflicting the society. This pervasive disruption erodes the foundation of social and family units, fuels a cycle of collective anxiety, and hampers proactive engagement, thereby stunting community resilience and impeding the recovery process.
Steps Towards Healing
Healing after a disaster is a multi-faceted process that requires addressing both individual and collective needs. Key steps include:
- Promoting Open Communication: Encouraging survivors to talk about their experiences is crucial. This not only helps individuals process their trauma but also fosters a supportive community atmosphere.
- Meeting Basic Needs: Ensuring that survivors’ basic physical and psychological needs are met is foundational to recovery. This includes providing safe shelters, medical care, and psychological support.
- Rebuilding Social Connections: Strengthening social bonds and fostering a sense of community is essential. This can be achieved through social support networks and community-building activities.
- Cultural and Religious Practices: Engaging in cultural and religious rituals can provide a sense of normalcy and help individuals cope with their trauma. Practices like lighting lamps, chanting “Pirith,” and conducting Bodhi Poojas offer communal solace and a sense of continuity.
- Facilitating Post-Traumatic Growth: Encouraging positive changes following trauma is vital. This includes promoting activities like writing, artistic creation, spiritual growth, and community service. Such activities can transform traumatic experiences into opportunities for personal and communal development.
The Role of Society
Society bears a significant responsibility in the healing process. Post-traumatic growth should be encouraged and facilitated through various means:
- Educational Programs: Raising awareness about trauma and its effects can help communities better understand and support affected individuals.
- Supportive Policies: Implementing policies that provide mental health support and resources for trauma survivors is crucial. This includes access to counseling, support groups, and mental health services.
- Community Initiatives: Establishing community centers and programs that focus on social cohesion and collective healing can make a significant difference. These initiatives should promote inclusivity and provide safe spaces for individuals to share their experiences.
The Importance of Compassionate Witnesses
In conclusion, the path to healing after a disaster is complex and requires a compassionate and comprehensive approach. We are all wounded in some way and should strive to become empathetic witnesses for each other. By fostering understanding, providing support, and encouraging positive growth, we can help individuals and communities recover from their traumatic experiences and emerge stronger.
By addressing these multi-dimensional aspects of trauma and healing, societies can foster resilience and facilitate the recovery of affected individuals and communities, promoting a stronger, more cohesive social fabric post-disaster.
Based on a presentation during an awareness conference held on July 18, 2024, in Matara, under the People Unite for Justice and Accountability (PUJA) program
