Many 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, or even exposure to the violence of war, or a natural disaster. Trauma is the response to a deeply distressing or disturbing event that overwhelms one’s ability to cope, causes feelings of helplessness, diminishes their sense of self and their ability to feel the full range of emotions and experiences.
While many people can recover from trauma over time with the love and support of family and friends and some may bounce back with resiliency, others may find they have lasting effects of trauma, which can cause them to live with deep emotional pain, anxiety, fear, confusion, or post-traumatic stress long after the stressful event has passed.
In these circumstances, the support, guidance and assistance of a therapist is fundamental to healing.
Trauma Symptoms
According to the four types of symptoms listed in the DSM-5
Avoidance Symptoms
- Avoiding specific locations, sights, situations, and sounds that serve as reminders of the event
- Anxiety, depression, emotional 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 Cognitive Symptoms
- Loss of interest in activities that were once experienced as enjoyable
- Difficulty remembering details of the distressing event
- Changes in personality, habits or behavior since the trauma
Research has proven psychotherapy to be the most effective form of treatment for trauma. Most commonly, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) are used in treating trauma. Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Prolonged Exposure Therapy, Stress Inoculation Therapy, and medications are also effective therapies for trauma.
If you or someone you know is experiencing the trauma symptoms listed above, I am confident that I can help. I invite you to contact me today for a free consultation.