Coping with Trauma and Crisis

This chapter explores stress and coping after a traumatic event, which can also be seen as a challenge; the importance of coping for adaptation and mental health, and for the development of resilience and social connectedness, social support was highlighted as a factor that can affect people’s physical and mental health, especially after trauma or crisis. Some research showing that social support can reduce the risk of mortality from various illnesses, increase quality of life, and prevent problems such as depression was then explored. The importance of satisfying and supportive social relationships was then highlighted, and the topic of psychotherapy as a distinctive interpersonal relationship that offers tools for change was introduced. It was also highlighted how the patient’s internal resources can be activated with the help of the therapist, and the search for meaning of crisis and suffering. Psychotherapy thus stands as an opportunity to process the past and open up to new perspectives. Among the various psychotherapeutic approaches is EMDR, which stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing.