On this page, we talk about recovering from
Trauma is the way you feel about something bad that happened to you.
For example, you might feel scared or stressed.
Trauma can affect you for a long time.
There is support available if the information on this page upsets you.
You can find out more on our page about support.
On this page:
About trauma
People can experience trauma if something happens to them that is very:
- stressful
- upsetting.
For example, if you have experienced
Violence or abuse is when someone:
- hurts you
- scares you
- controls you.
Trauma can affect:
- your body
- the way you think and feel.
It is important to get support if you:
- have had a hard experience
- think you might have trauma.
How trauma can affect you
It is normal to not feel okay if you have experienced trauma.
Your body might have reacted when you had the hard experience.
You cannot always control what your body does when you feel like you are in danger.
Your body might also react when:
- something reminds you of your hard experience
-
you experience a
A trigger is something that makes you remember or feel your trauma.
For example, seeing a photo of someone who hurt you in the past.
For example, you might experience a trigger if you:
- have a new partner, like a boyfriend or girlfriend
- but
- experienced violence or abuse with your last partner.
A trigger might make you:
- feel like your hard experience is happening now
- feel hot and sweaty
- feel like your heart is beating too fast.
Your body might make you want to fight the danger.
For example, you might want to attack something or someone.
Your body might make you want to run away from the danger.
For example, you might feel like you have to leave.
Your body might make you stop moving when you feel in danger.
For example, you might not be able to leave even though you want to.
Or you might drop to the ground even though you want to leave.
Your body might make you be nice to the danger.
For example, you might try to be extra helpful for someone who makes you feel scared.
It is normal for your body to react:
- when there is danger
- when your body feels that you are in danger, even when there is no danger around.
What you can do
You can get support to recover after hard experiences.
You can also get support to learn how to control your body when you experience a trigger.
You can find out more on our page about ways to feel calmer.
It is never your fault if you have experienced the bad behaviour we talk about on this page.
We are sorry that this has happened to you.
The first thing you should do is make sure you are safe.
If you or someone you know is in danger, call Triple Zero.
000
We have a section on this website about how to call Triple Zero.
You can find out more on our page about a guide to call Triple Zero.
You can contact 1800RESPECT for support.
You can call them.
1800 737 732
You can talk to someone online.
You can send them a text message.
0458 737 732
If you send them a text message, you can just send the word ‘HELLO’.
You can leave your partner if this is where you are experiencing the bad behaviour.
For example, your boyfriend or girlfriend.
You can find out more on our page about how to be safe when you leave a relationship.
If you are not ready to leave your partner, you can still make a plan about how to be safe.
You can find out more on our page about when you are not ready to leave a relationship.
You can get support from your friends and family.
It is a good idea to tell them:
- what they can do to help you
- to focus on what you need to feel safe.
You can keep proof of the person’s bad behaviour if it safe for you to do so.
You can give this proof to the police if you decide to contact them.
You can start to manage your own money so you can leave if or when you want to.
You can find out more on our page about managing your own money.
You can share what is happening to a government organisation.
For example, the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC).
AHRC is an organisation that makes sure people treat others:
- fairly
- equally.
You can call a helpline.
Helplines are phone numbers that will connect you to people who:
- care about what you are going through
- can give you good advice.
We have a list of helplines on our website.
You can find out more on our page about helplines.
You can work with someone to explore how you think and feel.
This can help you:
- reach goals
- feel safe
- learn skills
- understand what happened to you.
You can find out more on our page about counselling.
You can learn more about the rules about how people must treat you:
- fairly
- equally.
You can find out more on our page about your rights.
You can think about what you can do to care for yourself.
You can find out more on our page about caring for yourself.
You might have experienced the bad behaviour from someone who did a service for you.
For example, from:
- a health professional
- someone who cleaned your house.
You can talk to the person who organises your services if this has happened to you.
