Preventing and Treating Trauma-Related Mental Health Problems

Many people experience potentially traumatic events in their lifetime, which can be distressing in the short term and may also lead to longer-term mental health consequences such as post-traumatic stress disorder. In this chapter, we discuss the range of symptoms people might experience in the weeks after a potentially traumatic event and identify predictors of developing longer-term psychological problems. These predictors include a lack of social support, poor coping strategies, and having had multiple traumatic exposures. We also discuss ways in which trauma-exposed individuals can engage in self-care as well as the variety of professional interventions which may be offered if an individual is still showing symptoms of distress 4 weeks after the potentially traumatic event.