Listen to #Hashtag Hong Kong every Sunday morning at 8.15
Focusing on issues affecting civil society, we'll hear from representatives of NGOs, associations, statutory bodies, and non-profit groups.
(Sundays 8.15am - 8.25am)
Hello everyone,today, we’re talking about two conditions that often come up after someone experiences a major trauma — Acute Stress Disorder and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD. These are terms we hear a lot in the news or maybe from friends, but what do they actually mean? And what can we do about them?
To help unpack all this, first we’ll take a closer look at what trauma really is. In mental health,trauma doesn’t just mean something upsetting. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, a traumatic event involves actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence.
You could have experienced it directly, witnessed it happening to someone else, found out it happened to someone close to you, or been repeatedly exposed to disturbing details — like emergency workers who see these situations every day.
These are experiences that can shake your sense of safety, control, and belief in the world around you. Your sleep may be off, your heart races, you replay moments in your head. These are normal reactions.
When those reactions are severe and last more than a few days but less than a month, doctors may call it Acute Stress Disorder, or ASD.
ASD usually appears within the first month after a trauma. People with it might have nightmares, flashbacks, or moments where they feel numb or disconnected. They may avoid reminders of what happened or feel constantly on edge.
For example, people who survived a house fire might avoid anything that reminds them of flames or smoke, feel jumpy about sudden noises like alarms, and struggle to sleep because of vivid memories of the fire..
Research shows ASD affects up to 30 percent of people after a traumatic event — depending on how severe the trauma was. It can happen after accidents, assaults, disasters, or combat situations. Women tend to experience it more often than men, possibly because of differences in the kinds of trauma each gender is more likely to face.
If someone is recently traumatised, immediate therapy isn’t always necessary. For the first few weeks, what helps most is psychological first aid— kindness, safety, listening, and practical help.
Most people who experience trauma don’t go on to develop long-term problems — human beings are remarkably resilient. But for some, symptoms will persist.
When those reactions last more than a month, professionals may consider a diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD.
PTSD can include:
● Changes in alertness, such as feeling constantly tense, startled, or having trouble
sleeping.
●Intrusive memories or flashbacks that make it feel as if the trauma is happening all over
again.
●Avoidance, where someone sidesteps people, places, or even thoughts that remind
them of the event.
●Negative changes in mood or thinking, like guilt, anger, shame, or believing the world iscompletely unsafe.
The key difference from Acute Stress Disorder is the duration and the cognitive changes. PTSD symptoms persist beyond one month and often interfere heavily with daily life, work, and relationships. People who develop PTSD will also have changes in perception of self, the world and the future.
PTSD affects roughly 5 to 10 percent of people at some point in their lives. Among war veterans, first responders, and survivors of violence or disaster, that number can be much higher — even up to 20 to 30 percent.
Trauma is not the one single reason that makes people develop into PTSD. But researchers have identified some risk factors.
People who’ve been through earlier trauma or who already struggle with anxiety or depression may be more vulnerable. The type and severity of the trauma matter too. However, having strong social support can protect people. Most importantly, PTSD is treatable.
The most effective approaches combine psychological and medical treatments. I would like to introduce evidence-based psychological intervention for trauma conditions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for PTSD, helps people gradually revisit the traumatic memory and challenge unhelpful thoughts, such as “It was my fault” or “I’ll never be safe again.” Over time, this reduces fear and avoidance. Other effective therapies include Cognitive Processing Therapy or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing.
It is important to choose evidence-based or clinically proven trauma-focused treatment to achieve a good recovery and prevent re-traumatisation.
If you or someone you love is struggling after a traumatic experience, know that help is available— and recovery is possible. With the right treatment and support, people can and do rebuild their lives after trauma.
Lastly, I’d like to dedicate a song Let it be by The Beatles, thanks and enjoy!
Hi everyone. Imagine growing up in a world where the form of communication at home is profoundly different from the one outside. This is the reality for Children of Deaf Parents, often referred to as CODAs. In Hong Kong, these children face unique challenges.
As a CODA, we often become interpreters and mediators for our parents from a very young age. This isn't just about translating spoken Cantonese into Hong Kong Sign Language; it extends to complex situations like doctor's appointments, parent-teacher meetings, or even legal matters. This responsibility, while fostering incredible maturity and empathy, can also be a significant burden, potentially impacting our own childhood and development.
There's the issue of social isolation. Deaf families can sometimes feel disconnected from the wider hearing community, and their children, while fluent in both languages, might struggle to find peers who truly understand our unique family dynamics. This can lead to feelings of loneliness or difference.
Finally, there's the lack of public awareness and understanding. Many people simply aren't aware of the needs and strengths of deaf families, leading to unintentional misunderstandings or a lack of appropriate support.
Many families rely on close-knit networks within the deaf community itself. These networks provide emotional support, shared experiences, and practical assistance. Children, from a young age, develop remarkable problem-solving skills and independence. We learn to advocate for our parents and for ourselves, becoming adept at navigating social systems and finding solutions.
Organizations like CODA Hong Kong also provide crucial support. They offer a safe space for these children to connect with others who share similar experiences, participate in workshops, and receive mentoring. This peer support is invaluable in fostering a sense of belonging and reducing feelings of isolation. They also work to educate the public, bridging the gap between the hearing and deaf communities.
Greater public education and awareness are paramount. We need to normalize sign language and deaf culture, promoting understanding and inclusivity in schools, workplaces, and public services. Simple things like having readily available information in visual formats or providing basic sign language resources in public spaces can make a huge difference.
The government can provide more accessible and comprehensive support services. This includes increasing the availability of qualified sign language interpreters in essential services like healthcare and education, ensuring that deaf parents can fully participate in their children's lives without relying solely on their children to interpret.
We can foster a culture of empathy and proactive inclusion. This means encouraging schools to be more aware of the needs of CODAs, providing us with counseling if needed, and celebrating our unique abilities. For individuals, it's about being open-minded, learning a few basic signs, and approaching interactions with deaf individuals and their families with patience and respect.
