Exposure to trauma impacts not only the mental well-being of a person, but the physical, spiritual, environmental and social well-being as well. A patient who experienced trauma may exhibit physical symptoms such as GI symptoms (most common in children), headaches, respiratory symptoms, cardiac issues, inability to sleep and decreased immunity on top of the psychological response of increased anxiety, depression, and inability to focus. Trauma may distance a person from their spirituality and their social competence may decrease. The patient could feel unsafe or anxious in their environment and have a decreased ability to trust. Adverse childhood experiences such as divorce, mental health issues, death, abuse, sexual assault, neglect, abandonment etc. can lead to long term effects and chronic conditions on a person. Chronic conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, hepatitis, depression, lung cancer and ischemic heart disease. Health care providers need to understand the consequences of trauma and how it can affect the whole person not just their mental health and the more specific care the patient who was exposed to trauma needs.

After the presentation on trauma-informed care, I was able to broaden my scope of practice to help me better understand the more underlying cause of why my patients may be experiencing symptoms or diseases. As a nurse, I need to respectfully start to ask those hard questions about what my patients may have experienced in their life that could be causing their symptoms or what they are still experiencing behind closed doors. By understanding trauma-informed care I can better care for my patients as the nurse and ensure they are getting the care they need.