Trauma hurts many more people than are willing to admit... and it hurts much longer than the length of the injury or exposure.

As nurses, we will come across people with all experiences of trauma and in all stages of healing. 

Remember that there is hope for healing (https://hopefulpanda.com/effects-of-child-abuse/) but healing is a long, hard process that some people may not be ready for.

Also, just like disability, not all trauma is visible. Often the invisible traumas are much deeper, harder to overcome, and harder to recognize because one learns to function with pieces missing. The younger someone is when experiencing trauma, the harder it is to identify, process, and heal from.

What to do with someone else who has experienced trauma? I found this website helpful. 

Listen. Openly listen to what they have to say. Talking helps. Listen without trying to "fix" what they share. Just listen and hold space for them. 

Learn their triggers. Everyone has them, but they may not even know what they are.

Don't judge. Understand that every story has multiple "sides" and it is not your place to determine right/wrong or good/bad or any number of other things. Just be present.

Don't take over. You cannot fix it, so don't try!

Respect privacy and confidence.

Help them find support. There are counselors trained specifically for trauma - both in the medical community (psychiatrist/psychologist) and in the spiritual community (chaplains/pastors/priests/rabbis).

Take care of yourself!!!

*Secondary trauma is real. You need your own support system.