What is Trauma?
- Have you experienced a traumatic event?
- Do you experience anxiety, fear, depression, or mood swings?
- Do you feel like you no longer have any control over how you think, feel, and behave?
- Is it hard to feel calm and secure?
Trauma is a person’s emotional response to a distressing experience. If you are looking for books on trauma, check out the recommended reading from Sherrie.
Most people will experience some form of trauma in their lifetime. Whether it’s a car accident, abuse or neglect, the sudden death of a loved one, a violent criminal act, exposure to the violence of war, or a natural disaster – these are all traumas.
Some people can recover from trauma over time with the love and support of family and friends and bounce back with resiliency. Others may discover the effects of lasting trauma, which can cause a person to live with deep emotional pain, fear, confusion, or posttraumatic stress far after the event has passed.
In these circumstances, the support, guidance, and assistance of a therapist are fundamental to healing from trauma.
PTSD – Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Also commonly referred to as PTSD – is a diagnosis of a mental health challenge that may occur in individuals who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event such as a natural disaster, a terrorist act, an act of war, a serious accident, rape, or any other violent personal assault. PTSD is the only diagnosis that actually includes the word trauma.
Here are 4 Types of PTSD Symptoms
These are listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders -5 (DSM-V) –
Avoidance Symptoms
- Avoiding specific locations, sights, situations, and sounds that serve as reminders of the event
- Anxiety, depression, numbness, or guilt
Re-experiencing Symptoms
- Intrusive thoughts, nightmares, or flashbacks
Hyperarousal Symptoms
Anger, irritability, and hypervigilance
Aggressive, reckless behavior, including self-harm
Sleep disturbances
Negative Mood and Cognition Symptoms
- 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
People who struggle with PTSD often live through intense thoughts and feelings related to their traumatic experiences. These can last for a long time after the initial event. Many people with PTSD also relive the event through flashbacks and nightmares.
People with PTSD often feel intense emotions such as fear, anger, sadness, and detachment from friends, family, and community members. They might avoid people and situations that remind them of the traumatic event. Ordinary sounds or incidents such as a door banging or accidental touch in a crowd may cause a strong and uncontrollable reaction.
You may not have all of the symptoms, but even people who don’t meet the criteria for PTSD might have a need for Trauma Treatment. Click on this link to learn about Trauma Treatment.
We have personally seen amazing transformation through therapy and want to offer the help you need to enjoy life again.
If you or a loved one have experienced trauma and would like to explore treatment options, please reach out to us.