Trauma is a person’s emotional response to a distressing experience, such as loss, abuse, or assault. While some people can recover from trauma with the love and support of family and friends, some may experience lasting effects, which can cause deep emotional pain, fear, confusion, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) long after the event has passed. In these circumstances, the support, guidance, and assistance of a trauma therapist are fundamental to healing from trauma. Sunshine Consulting & Counseling explains what trauma is, how PTSD develops, and how to recover with PTSD treatment and trauma therapy in Silver Spring, Maryland.
Symptoms of Trauma
Most people will experience some form of trauma in their lifetime, whether it’s a car accident, abuse or neglect, the death of a loved one, a violent criminal act, exposure to war, or a natural disaster. Trauma isn’t defined by the event itself, but by how your body responds to it. While trauma is different for each individual, common symptoms include:
- Anxiety
- Intense feelings of fear
- Depression
- Mood changes
- Emotional dysregulation
These symptoms can make it difficult to feel calm, secure, and at ease. After a traumatic event, some clients may develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a condition that can significantly interfere with daily life.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that may occur in individuals who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event. PTSD often develops when trauma goes unprocessed and causes severe, persistent symptoms over a period of months or years.
Four Types of PTSD Symptoms
People with PTSD often have intense thoughts and feelings related to their traumatic experiences. PTSD has specific diagnostic criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), which fall under four categories:
Avoidance Symptoms
Individuals with PTSD might actively avoid specific situations that remind them of their trauma. Avoidance symptoms can include:
- Anxiety, depression, or guilt
- Avoiding people, locations, sights, sounds, and scenarios that resemble the traumatic event
- Changing daily routines to avoid triggers
- Suppressing feelings or emotions
Left untreated, these symptoms can lead to emotional numbness, social isolation, and detachment.
Re-experiencing Symptoms
Re-experiencing causes a person to feel as though they’re reliving the traumatic event in real time. Sensory or situational reminders often trigger symptoms like:
- Intrusive memories
- Nightmares
- Flashbacks
Individuals may also experience panic, fear, and uncomfortable physical sensations, like a racing heart, shaking, or sweating.
Hyperarousal Symptoms
Hyperarousal occurs when the nervous system is activated, leading to a chronic state of fight-or-flight. Ordinary sounds or incidents, such as a door banging or an accidental touch in a crowd, may trigger a strong, uncontrollable reaction. With hyperarousal, individuals may experience:
- An exaggerated startle response
- Anger, irritability, and hypervigilance
- Aggressive, reckless behavior, including self-harm
- Sleep disturbances
Constantly being alert can lead to anxiety, panic attacks, concentration issues, and exhaustion.
Negative Mood and Cognition Symptoms
Those with PTSD often experience overwhelming emotions such as fear, anger, sadness, and withdrawal from friends, family, and community members. Mood and cognition symptoms may include:
- Loss of interest in activities that were once considered enjoyable
- Difficulty remembering details of the distressing event
- Change in habits or behavior since the trauma
You may not have all of the symptoms, but even people who don’t meet the criteria for PTSD might need trauma treatment to heal and move forward.
Supporting You on Your Healing Journey
If you or a loved one has experienced trauma and would like to explore treatment options, please reach out to Sherrie at Sunshine Consulting & Counseling to schedule an appointment for trauma therapy in Silver Spring, MD. I have personally seen amazing transformations through treatment and want to offer the help you need to enjoy life again.
If you are looking for books on trauma, check out Sherrie’s recommended reading.