Researching Trauma

I'm currently knee deep in co-writing a book titled, 'Threads of trauma' which is scheduled for release in Spring 2024. We've had to be mindful of so many complex narratives as we progressed through countries, documents and lived experiences.

Trauma is a complex endeavour because of the multifaceted nature of trauma and its impact on individuals, groups, communities and countries. Trauma is not just the initial life-threatening event but also encompasses the ongoing impact on a person's mind, brain, and body. Indeed, the body keeps the score...

Trauma can be further complicated by differential behavioral responses, individualised reactions, and the development of conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and we look at some of these in our book. Ethical considerations in trauma research include issues such as retraumatisation of survivors, the morality of investigating perpetrators of trauma, and neglecting to provide intervention.

Complex trauma, which involves cumulative exposure to traumatic experiences, can have profound and ongoing impacts on an individual's development and health. So understanding the complexities of trauma requires a holistic and scientific approach to treatment and research, considering the physiological, psychological, and social aspects of trauma.

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