Most people will experience some type 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.
Many people can recover from trauma with the love and support of family and friends. Others may experience effects of lasting trauma that can cause a person to live with deep emotional pain, fear, confusion, or post-traumatic stress long after the event has passed.
In these circumstances, the support, guidance and assistance of a therapist may be fundamental to healing from trauma.
Trauma Symptoms
There are several types of symptoms that may be experienced by someone dealing with post-traumatic stress:
Re-experiencing Symptoms
- Intrusive thoughts, nightmares or flashbacks
Hyper-arousal Symptoms
- Anger, irritability and hypervigilance
- Aggressive, reckless behavior, including self-harm
- Sleep disturbance
Avoidance Symptoms
- Avoiding specific locations, sights, situations, and sounds that serve as reminders of the event
Negative Mood and Cognition Symptoms
- Anxiety, depression, numbness, or feelings of guilt
- 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) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) are used in treating trauma; however, other types of therapy may be effective as well.
If you or someone you know match the trauma symptoms listed above, I invite you to contact me today for a consultation.