Metamorphosing Histories: The Narrative as a Tool for Psychological Trauma's Recovery

Abstract

Considering psychological traumatism as a subject in constant discussion, this study approaches the recovery of the patients that suffered violent events. Based on studies about the reflection of disasters and wars, we present trauma as a consequence of the unexpected event from where is originated intense fear. Trauma is a violation, an abruption, which disorganizes and incapacitates the victim. When a violence situation is experienced, the physical and verbal abuses are not alone as the elements that interfere in the trauma's establishment, but also their representations. Thereby, the event that produces trauma is imposed, although its meaning depends of the history and beliefs of the subject. Understanding that the accident's representation is the cause of the trauma's establishment, we introduce the narrative as tool for psychological trauma's recovery, because it allows the victims relive their past and reframe their feelings. Regarding it, we highlight the relevance of the sociocultural context – before, during and after the trauma –, once it has direct influence over the way the person deals with adversities, as it can stimulate or stop a resilience process. This study takes in consideration that resilience is not something static, a faculty that the subject has or not, but a process that can be developed, improved or reduced. Thus, the narrative is presented as essential to initiate a resilience process, empowering the victims to confront the trauma and to rewrite their history and their return to life.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.