Kathmandu: A person can experience symptoms of trauma long after the traumatic incidents, experts have said.
At a program organized by the Institute of Crisis Management Studies (ICMS) in the capital on Sunday, psychology and human rights experts highlighted the need for a positive response and timely counseling for trauma victims.
“A traumatic incident causes distress and fear, horror and helplessness, and overwhelms the person’s ability to cope,” said Rupa Pradhan, trauma counseling expert, and human rights activist.
The symptoms of trauma, according to Pradhan, can be seen in a person long after the traumatic incidents. “A person can be triggered by simple reminders of the traumatic experience, like sounds or sights.”
Likewise, Shiwani Manandhar, counseling psychologist and founder of ‘Working as Angels’ highlighted the importance of being informed about trauma, its effects, and its consequences. “Trauma-informed people can console and help victims by finding a solution, whereas a trauma-uninformed person might question victims about the incident,” she said.
Questions like ‘why do you always have an issue?’ further push the victims into trauma, Manandhar said.
While explaining how to deal with someone with trauma, Kapil Sharma, a counseling psychologist and counselor/trainer at Human Development Center Nepal (HUDEC) explained: “A person dealing with trauma needs to have a regular routine and stability that they can rely on. It reduces stress and ensures a simple day-to-day living, resulting in a sense of self-control.”
The event, according to the organizer, aimed at providing a safe space for trauma survivors and supporters. The program also aimed at raising awareness about trauma, it said.
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