We cannot escape trauma. Trauma is understood as an emotional response to an event where a person feels hurt through injury, dismissal, rejection, violence, the threat of violence or the witness of violence. Trauma can be profound, such as 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. Trauma can also be subtle, such as small acts of neglect or harm that are constant and inescapable.
While many people can recover from trauma over time with the love and support of family and friends and bounce back with resiliency, others may discover 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 is fundamental to healing from trauma.
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders (DSM), there are four types of symptoms for Trauma
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
Research has proven psychotherapy to be the most effective form of treatment for trauma. Most commonly, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dilectical behavioral therapy (DBT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), and eye movement integration (EMI) are used in treating trauma.
I am trained in CBT, DBT, and EMI. If you or someone you know match is suffering with any of the trauma symptoms listed above, please know that help is available. Reach out today to begin your recovery from trauma.